Date: Fri, 27 Jan 1995 18:48:34 -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 
FRIDAY, JAN. 27, 1995

    MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DENOUNCE REPUBLICAN LEADER'S HATE SPEECH 

         -- Gingrich's Second in Command Denies Responsibility --

     WASHINGTON -- Seventeen Members of Congress from 11
different states appeared today at a Capitol Hill press
conference arranged by the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF) to
denounce hate speech used by House Majority Leader Richard Armey
(R-Texas) in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Armey denied
responsibility for referring to Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) as
"Barney Fag" in a briefing for radio reporters in the House
Gallery.

     "The House leadership is calling on welfare mothers to take
responsibility for their lives.  The least Mister Armey can do is
take responsibility for his words," said Daniel Zingale, HRCF
Public Policy Director, who introduced the Members of Congress at
today's press conference.  "His denial of the problem has not
cleared the air.  He and the rest of the leadership should
denounce hate speech and reject the agenda of anti-gay extremists
who may be encouraged by this kind of language.  Mister Armey
should make a clear statement against discrimination and in favor
of equality for all Americans."

     Leading off today's press conference were Rep. John Lewis
(D-Ga.), a leader in the African-American civil rights movement,
and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).  Joining them were the
following Members:  John Baldacci (D-Maine), Rosa DeLauro
(D-Conn.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Furse (D-Ore.), Nita
Lowey (D-N.Y.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Cynthia McKinney
(D-Ga.), George Miller (D-Calif.), John Olver (D-Mass.), Lynn
Rivers (D-Mich.), Tom Sawyer (D-Ohio), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.),
Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.), Mike Ward (D-Ky.) and Lynn Woolsey
(D-Calif.).  Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) issued a written
statement.  Republican Members of Congress told HRCF they raised
concerns about Armey's comment in a meeting of the Republican
Caucus.

     "These Members of Congress speak for millions of Americans
who are appalled that a leader in Congress would single out
people for discrimination," Zingale said.  "It is extremely
important that fair-minded people speak out against this kind of
bigotry.  Members of Congress must also be vigilant in the face
of threats by anti-gay extremist groups to launch new attacks on
the rights and dignity of lesbian and gay Americans."

     Armey has a 0 percent voting record on issues affecting
lesbian and gay Americans, according to HRCF's report on the
103rd Congress.  He has voted to deny schools funds for suicide
and violence prevention counseling to help gay youth, to write
into law the discriminatory ban on gays in the military and to
summarily discharge HIV+ service members.  While 51 House
Republicans have instituted employment policies protecting
lesbian and gay employees from discrimination, Armey has refused
to do so.

     HRCF has more than 5,300 members across Texas, which has
been the site of a string of murders of gay men. 

     "In light of the violence going on in his own home state,
Mister Armey should be more careful about the effect of his
words," Zingale said.  "This is the language of criminals who
commit hate crimes, not responsible Members of Congress."

     HRCF, the nation's largest lesbian and gay political
organization, works to end discrimination, secure equal rights,
defend freedom of choice and protect the health of all Americans.

With a Washington-based staff and members throughout the country,
HRCF lobbies the federal government, educates the general public,
participates in election campaigns and organizes volunteers at
the state and local level.  

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