[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 1534] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE CHICAGO CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN VETERANS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS ______ HON. MIKE QUIGLEY of illinois in the house of representatives Monday, February 22, 2010 Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chicago Chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights, AVER, an organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, on the occasion of the City of Chicago's annual Salute to LGBT veterans. Founded in 1992, the Chicago Chapter of AVER provides support to LGBT veterans in the Chicago metropolitan area. Members of AVER have served in every war from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan. Each year, AVER members march in Chicago's Memorial Day Parade and in Chicago's Gay Pride Parade. By doing so, AVER members bear witness to the fact that gay and lesbian Americans have served throughout our history to defend the United States in time of war and to preserve our freedoms and democracy. AVER fights not only for LGBT veterans but also for gay and lesbian soldiers currently serving in our Armed Forces, especially those who are in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan. AVER members travel to Washington every year to lobby members of Congress for an end to the ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy. For 15 years, AVER has fought against this detrimental policy that requires gay and lesbian service members to deny who they are and to lie about their lives. Our democratic allies--from the United Kingdom to Israel--allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly without any adverse effects on military preparedness or morale. This is the basic fairness and justice that AVER seeks for gay and lesbian American soldiers. Madam Speaker, I also want to recognize Jim Darby, the founder of the Chicago Chapter of AVER and a Korean War veteran. Jim served in the Navy as a Russian-language specialist. Along with all the other AVER members, Jim has fought tirelessly to educate the general public and the Congress about the plight of LGBT veterans and active service members. What AVER seeks is what we should all seek: respect and honor for all those who have served and who are serving the United States of American through our Armed Forces. ____________________