Date: Mon, 21 Nov 1994 11:50:17 -0500
From: HRCFCOMM@aol.com

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PRESS RELEASE            PRESS RELEASE            PRESS RELEASE

               THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND                    

The Nation's Largest Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Political Group   
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To contact the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND, please call us at     
(202)628-4160, fax us at (202) 347-5323 or write to us at PO Box 
1396  Washington, DC  20013.  WE CANNOT RESPOND TO E-MAIL.  
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   

                     
              APPLE COMPUTER EXECUTIVE TAPPED TO LEAD
                     THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND;

   
       ELIZABETH BIRCH TO HEAD NATION'S LARGEST GAY AND LESBIAN
 POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IN NEWLY REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT

       WASHINGTON, DC  (November 21, 1994)  The Board of
Directors of the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF) named Apple
Computer executive Elizabeth Birch today to succeed Tim McFeeley
as the civil rights group's next Executive Director. Birch, the
chief litigator for Apple Computer is known for her pioneering
work in establishing domestic partnership and non-discrimination
policies in a variety of workplace settings, including the model
program at Apple Computer. Birch was a central figure when a
Texas County commission last year attempted to deny Apple a tax
incentive as a punitive measure against the company's progressive
treatment of lesbian, gay and bisexual employees.

     The selection of Birch culminates an extensive four-month
national search, lead by HRCF Board Member Don McCleary, and
assisted by the Zivic Group, a national executive search firm.
"This search rivals any I have ever seen in legal or corporate
America," said McCleary. "I am exceedingly proud of the
committee's work. Elizabeth was our clear and unanimous choice."

     Birch will take the reins of HRCF during the turbulent wake
of the November 8th elections which resulted in a Republican take
over of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and
dramatically altering the political landscape.

     "Even in the midst of the largest Republican sweep in 20
years, America refused to institutionalize discrimination.
Regardless of ideology or party affiliation, this country is
slowly reaching out to its gay and lesbian sons and daughters,"
said Birch. "Treating people fairly is not a partisan issue.
While the 104th Congress will present new challenges, HRCF will
continue to be formidable presence on Capitol Hill, while
dramatically expanding its reach beyond Washington, into the
towns and communities throughout the country that really control
power of government."

     Birch, 38, a former co-chair of the National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force (NGLTF), also based in Washington, D.C. is currently
Director of Litigation and Human Resources Counsel for Apple
Computer, Inc, and previously served as General Counsel of Claris
Corporation, a software subsidiary of Apple.  She graduated with
honors in 1985 from the Santa Clara University School of Law and
clerked at the California Supreme Court. Birch has a long history
of activism in the lesbian,gay and AIDS communities.  In addition
to her work with NGLTF, she is the founder of AIDS Legal
Services, a project of the Santa Clara County Bar Association Law
Foundation providing legal service to people with HIV over the
past several years.  Birch authored several AIDS anti-
discrimination ordinances which have been enacted in South Bay
municipalities. 
     
     "Elizabeth Birch has the skills, experience and innovative
spirit that will build on Tim McFeeley's great work, and lead us
through the politically treacherous waters ahead," said Board Co-
Chair McCleary. "She brings to the Campaign Fund the right mix of
corporate professionalism and grass-roots activism that coalesce
into a dynamic, unstoppable force for gay and lesbian equality."

     McFeeley, who led the Campaign Fund for more than five
years, announced in July that he would leave the organization
after the November 1994 elections.  During that time, the
organization's annual budget grew from $1.5 million to $8 million
and its membership grew from 12,000 to more than 80,000.  

     The Campaign Fund formed its search committee of members of
the Board of Directors, the Board of Governors and the staff. 
The organization retained the San Francisco-based Zivic and
Company of San Francisco to assist in the search which drew more
than 300 applicants. Five finalists were interviewed by the
search committee which unanimously recommended Birch. 

     "We were very pleased with the quality of candidates who
were considered for the post," notes Mary Breslauer, a Boston
public relations executive who served on the search committee. 
"We went beyond the lesbian and gay community's inner circle and
considered an exceptionally diverse pool of candidates from every
section of the country."

     "Though the task at hand is enormous," said Birch. "I am
motivated by a bright optimism for the future of lesbians and gay
men in this country. Always, in the final analyses, the American
people always choose structures that foster equal opportunity and
fairness."   

                                  - 30 -     
                                      
     1101 14th Street, NW  Suite 200  Washington, DC  20005      
          phone:(202)628-4160      fax:(202) 347-5323