FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2008 DNC ELECTS RECORD NUMBER OF LGBT MEMBERS TO 2008
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION STANDING COMMITTEES Appointments Reflect
Strength, Diversity and Energy of Democratic Party
DENVER – The Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee
(DNC) unanimously elected DNC Chairman Howard Dean’s nominations for the
Chairs and members of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Standing
Committees, including a record number of openly LGBT members. Dean’s
LGBT appointments include Dr. Marjorie Hill of the Gay Men’s Health
Crisis organization in New York, Diego Sanchez from AIDS Action
Committee of Massachusetts, State Representative Patricia Todd of
Alabama, and Ingrid Duran of Virginia to serve on the Platform
Committee, along with Claire Lucas and Evan Low of California to the
Rules Committee and Bob Rogan of Vermont to the Credentials Committee.
In addition to appointing a record number of LGBT standing committee
members, Dean was also the first DNC chair to appoint a member of the
transgender community to a Convention committee.
The Standing Committees of the Convention are responsible for reviewing
Convention business and formulating recommendations for consideration by
Convention delegates. The Executive Committee’s vote took place during
the panel’s recent meeting in Denver, site of the four-day Convention in
August.
“The record turnout and enthusiasm we’ve seen for our Democratic
candidates is a clear sign that Americans trust Democrats to bring much
needed change to our country,” said Governor Dean. “These outstanding
leaders reflect the great strength, diversity and energy of the
Democratic Party, and I’m confident their efforts will ensure our
Convention in Denver is reflective of our shared values and our
nominee’s vision for America.”
The elections included the Chairs and 25 Party Leader and Elected
Official (PLEO) members of the three Convention Standing Committees:
Credentials, Platform and Rules. Each committee has a total of 186
members. An additional 161 members elected by each of the states’ and
territories’ Convention delegations will join Governor Dean’s
appointments to the committees later this spring.
For a full list of and biographical information on the Chairs and PLEO
members from each Standing Committee, visit
http://www.demconvention.com/a/standingcommittees.pdf .
Credentials Committee
The Credentials Committee is charged with coordinating issues around
the selection of delegates and alternates to the Convention and will
likely meet in the summer. The committee will issue a report that is the
first official item of business at the Convention.
Platform Committee
The Platform Committee is responsible for drafting and recommending a
proposed National Platform for approval at the Convention. After
conducting hearings and forums to collect testimony on issues and
policies to potentially include in the platform, the committee is likely
to meet sometime in July.
Rules Committee
The Rules Committee is responsible for proposing the Permanent Rules
for the Convention, adopting the proposed Convention agenda and making
recommendations for permanent Convention officers – all addressed as the
second official item of business at the Convention. The committee will
meet sometime in August, prior to the Convention.
