CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E527 HON
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E527 Pastor,’’ a mentor, and a friend to all. His of the United States House of Representa- ‘‘Barney Frank is an incredibly heroic per- ready demeanor makes him readily available tives. son, but also someone who is absolutely in to pastors for counseling and friendship. He is touch with his constituency,’’ Solmonese f said in a telephone interview. ‘‘He’s a man often called upon for advice by struggling con- who values family more than anyone I gregations and has more than once been SUN CHRONICLE HAILS APPOINT- MENT OF ATTLEBORO NATIVE know.’’ called upon to present leadership training to Solmonese came out as gay in his early churches and deacons. 20s; he recalls attending a Human Rights Rev. Wright is married to Narcissus Har- HON. BARNEY FRANK Campaign dinner when he was 22. Before grove Wright of Henderson, North Carolina OF MASSACHUSETTS joining EMILY’s List, he was an aide to and the proud father of four children: Billy, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis and a fund-raiser for Frank. Wendi, Nicole and Ashley. The Wrights pres- Tuesday, April 5, 2005 ently make their home in Greensboro, North He credits his parents, both school- Carolina. Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, teachers, with inspiring him to pursue a ca- Mr. Speaker, Reverend William F. Wright, since 1982, my Congressional activities have reer of political activism. Solmonese Ele- mentary School in Norton is named after his Jr. has used his position as a spiritual and been covered by the Sun Chronicle, which provides news for the Greater Attleboro, Mas- father, Joseph. community leader to improve the lives of those ‘‘After a decade in the reproductive rights around him, and his 25th Pastoral Anniversary sachusetts area. It is a newspaper which un- derstands the importance of solid and thought- movement, I see myself having been in the is yet another reminder of all of the good work fight for a progressive America,’’ he said. ful coverage of events that happen within its he has accomplished. As such, he is more ‘‘Groups like the HRC are very much at the than worthy of receiving our recognition today. area. At the same time, it pays due attention forefront of that fight.’’ Thus, I urge my colleagues to join me in hon- to national issues, and it has also been an im- Another common denominator for the oring this truly remarkable person. portant advocate for fair treatment for that part abortion-rights and gay rights movements is of Massachusetts in which it circulates. their determined and politically well-con- f Its interest in all three of these elements nected opposition. Conservative leaders who HONORING PALMYRA MACEDON came together on March 18 when the Sun focus on those two issues have claimed credit BOYS’ BASKETBALL CLASS B Chronicle published a gracious and thoughtful for the Republicans’ strong showing in the 2004 election. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP editorial about the appointment of an Attleboro native, Joe Solmonese, to be the head of the ‘‘The American people fear a whole range of things right now, from terrorism to their Human Rights Campaign. The Human Rights HON. JAMES T. WALSH economic future,’’ Solmonese said. ‘‘Our op- Campaign is a major voice for fair treatment OF NEW YORK position has been pretty crafty at capital- for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered izing on that fear, using whatever means IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES people, and I am among those who was very necessary to make political gains.’’ Tuesday, April 5, 2005 pleased that Mr. Solmonese was selected, Many conservative groups are now waging Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in given the combination of skill and talent that a two-pronged fight against gay marriage. tribute to the Palmyra Macedon Red Raiders, he brings to the job. They are lobbying Congress to approve a fed- As the Sun Chronicle noted, ‘‘Attleboro is eral constitutional amendment defining the varsity boys’ basketball team that won marriage as the union of a man and a their first Class B State Title. The 57–47 vic- honored by the appointment of a city native to head the Human Rights Campaign’’ and it is woman; they also hope many more states tory was well earned after trailing to the Carle will join the 17 that already have amended Place Frogs for the majority of the game. also honored and fortunate to have a news- their constitutions to ban gay marriage. Junior shooting guard Anthony Hall scored a paper with the generosity of spirit to edito- The Human Rights Campaign was among game-high 26 points, and helped the Red rialize as well as it did on this subject. I ask numerous gay-rights organizations partici- Raiders get back into the lead in the final that this editorial be printed here. pating earlier this month in a strategy ses- quarter. Coach Chip Tatro and the rest of this [From the Sun Chronicle, March 18, 2005] sion aimed at competing effectively in outstanding team deserve congratulations ACTIVIST EYES TOUGH FIGHT upcommg state ballot campaigns regarding gay marriage. after their third attempt, and consequent vic- (By David Crary) Solmonese says he hopes Massachusetts NEW YORK.—After 12 years advocating for tory, in winning the championship. will demonstrate to Americans nationwide abortion rights, Attleboro native Joe Coach Chip Tatro, Christopher Milke, Jared that its pioneering legalization of same-sex Solmonese might have opted for a less divi- Boisvert, Mike Beck, Anthony Hall, Todd marriage has positive, not negative, results. sive field of work. Instead, he is taking over Piccola, Dan Gorman, Tim Patchett, Jonathon ‘‘Massachusetts is still there, with loving, leadership of the largest national gay-rights committed families going on with their lives Denniston, Adam Husk, Andy Weaver, Jason group at a time when the same-sex marriage and experiencing the same rights and respon- Clair, Sean McGinn, Chris Timbs are all equal debate rivals abortion for volatility and sibilities that all Americans do,’’ he said. contributors to the outstanding 2005 season. virulence. ‘‘We want to shine a light on what happened I commend the Palmyra Macedon Red ‘‘My challenge is to talk about why the in Massachusetts, and tell the American peo- equality we seek is not just important to our Raiders for their enthusiasm and hard work in ple who we truly are.’’ community, but should be important to ev- reaching their goal. Congratulations and good He replaces another Massachusetts polit- luck on future seasons. eryone,’’ Solmonese said. ‘‘I have to believe in the optimism and fair-mindedness of the ical activist, former state Sen. Cheryl f American people.’’ Jacques, who stepped down as HRC president late last year, citing differences with its HONORING THE VAN VANDALS Solmonese was named last week as the new president of the Washington-based Human board. Rights Campaign and will formally assume Her departure coincided with speculation HON. JEB HENSARLING the post April 11. in the gay media, and elsewhere, about dis- OF TEXAS He plans to start his tenure by traveling cord among the HRC and some other major around the country, meeting with state and gay-rights groups. Solmonese said he has de- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES local activists. tected no serious rifts since his hiring was Tuesday, April 5, 2005 Since 1993, Solmonese has been a strategist announced. Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, today I for EMILY’s List, a political action com- mittee supporting state and federal can- [From the Sun Chronicle, Mar. 18, 2005] would like to honor the Van Vandals boys’ didacies of Democratic women who favor ATTLEBORO HONORED BY ANOTHER ACTIVIST basketball team who won the Texas 3A cham- abortion rights. He was its chief executive pionship on March 11, 2005. In their first trip for the past 21⁄2 years, helping break fund- Attleboro is honored by the appointment to the state finals in sixty-three years, the Van- raising records but also seeing candidates his of a city native to head the Human Rights dals beat Graham High School to return home group endorsed lose 2004 Senate races in Campaign—the nation’s largest gay civil with the state championship trophy. This is an Florida, South Carolina and Missouri. rights group—and just days prior to a wel- accomplishment that the young men on the Solmonese, 40, graduated from Boston Uni- come loosening on the West Coast of the versity with a degree in communications bans on same-sex marriage. team will remember for the rest of their lives. after growing up in Attleboro. One of his role Joe Solmonese, 40, who is gay, brings to his As the congressional representative of the models was the local congressman, BARNEY new role a history of activism that began members, coaches, and supporters of the Van FRANK—who disclosed his homosexuality in when he became student council vice presi- Vandals, it is my pleasure to recognize their 1987 when openly gay politicians were almost dent while a junior at Attleboro High School outstanding accomplishment today on the floor unheard of. in the early 1980s. 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