From: Hrccomm@aol.com
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 16:42:24 -0400
Subject: Lesbian and Gay Community Mourns the Passing of HRC Co-Chair Don McCleary

________________________________________________________

NEWS from the
Human Rights Campaign

1101 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
email:  communications@hrcusa.org
WWW:    http://www.hrcusa.org
________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 15, 1996


    LESBIAN AND GAY COMMUNITY MOURNS PASSING
              OF HRC CO-CHAIR DON McCLEARY

         "America Has Lost a Champion of Basic Fairness
                 and Common Decency," Says Birch

WASHINGTON -- Don McCleary, co-chair of the Human Rights
Campaign's board of directors and long-time advocate for lesbian
and gay equal rights and health issues, died Sunday  at his home
in Dallas from complications associated with AIDS. A memorial
service was scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the First
Presbyterian Church in downtown Dallas.
   
  "America has lost a champion of basic fairness and common
decency," said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch, adding
that "Don's passing is a great personal and professional loss to
me, and a terrible tragedy for the gay and AIDS communities and
especially for his family." McCleary is survived by his partner,
Daniel Pettit; his father, C.C. "Mac" McCleary; his mother,
Maxine; and his sister, Carolyn Cassleberry.
    
 Don McCleary, former managing partner of the prominent
Dallas law firm of Gardere and Wynne, joined HRC's board of
directors in 1991, and served as co-chair since 1994. In the
1980s, he helped found HRC's Federal Club, the major donor
program that funds a significant portion of the group's lobbying,
organizing, campaign and public education work for lesbian and
gay equal rights and health issues. In particular, he played a
key role building HRC's presence in Dallas.
    
 Over the past year alone, in recognition of his outstanding
service to his community, McCleary received the Anti-Defamation
League Jurisprudence Award and HRC's Ray Kuchling Humanitarian
Award. His law firm also honored him with the Excalibur Award for
his exemplary contribution to the organization -- a tribute
bestowed only twice before in the firm's 70-year history. 

     "Spending time with Don and witnessing the loving care of
his partner and the rest of his family was a privilege," said
Birch. "I will cherish it always -- not because we were saying
good-bye to Don's life, but because we were celebrating the
values for which he lived. Don worked tirelessly so that one day,
all Americans will enjoy full equal rights, freedom from
discrimination and the unconditional love of their families. As
our prayers are with his partner and the rest of his family, we
owe it to his memory to continue his work."

     The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian
and gay political organization, with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign
support and educates the public to ensure that lesbian and gay
Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in
the community.

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