CELEBRATING AND HONORING DAVID STACY'S SERVICE TO THE LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY

On 2026-06-08, Representative Mark Takano (D-CA-39) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING AND HONORING DAVID STACY'S SERVICE TO THE LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY" in the House.

CELEBRATING AND HONORING DAVID STACY'S SERVICE TO THE LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E541] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING AND HONORING DAVID STACY'S SERVICE TO THE LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY _____ HON. MARK TAKANO of california in the house of representatives Monday, June 8, 2026 Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor David Stacy's service to the LGBTQI+ community as he marks the end of his current chapter as Vice President of Government Affairs at the Human Rights Campaign. David has been instrumental in the fight for LGBTQI+ equality for decades, helping found Fair Wisconsin, Wisconsin's statewide LGBTQI+ civil rights organization, and working in this chamber for then- Representative Tammy Baldwin as a Legislative Assistant for seven years. In his role for then-Rep. Baldwin, David worked on a range of LGBTQI+ issues, including marriage equality and hate crimes. After leaving the Hill, David joined HRC where over the course of two decades, he has played a role in every major LGBTQI+ bill to become law, including the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Act, and the Respect for Marriage Act. He also played a key role in adding sexual orientation and gender identity nondiscrimination protections to the Violence Against Women Act and has helped lead organizations in opposing dozens of anti-LGBTQI+ bills and amendments--including the Federal Marriage Amendment--over the last twenty years. David was also instrumental in the introduction of the Equality Act of 2015 and has continued to lead the coalition of organizations advocating for its passage since then. It is my honor to now be the lead sponsor of the Equality Act, and I am grateful for David's tireless work to build support for this critical and historic legislation. I have had the privilege of getting to know and work with David since coming to Congress in 2013. I have appreciated his knowledge, wisdom, and counsel. I know countless staff on the Hill and advocates in the LGBTQI+ movement have similarly appreciated his advice and mentorship over the years. Most of the people who have benefited from David's advocacy will never know his name, but I have seen up close the impact he has had and how he has helped push equality forward. Our movement for equality is better off because of David's decades of service to it. I wish David the best of luck on this next chapter. ____________________