News

Log Cabin honors Bill Weld [R-MA]

Governors Weld, Romney, Swift attend event in Massachusetts; Sprague receives Spirit of Lincoln award

December 15, 2003

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans presented former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld [R] their first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, last Thursday in Boston, Massachusetts. State Senator Jo Ann Sprague [R] received the Log Cabin Spirit of Lincoln Award that night as well.

"It is appropriate that a remarkable leader like Bill Weld should receive our first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. Bill Weld stood for equality in our party early on in his political career and he has never wavered. Our community has always had a friend and champion in Bill Weld," said Log Cabin executive director Patrick Guerirero. "Bill Weld was one of the nation's break-through governors of either political party to stand up for gay and lesbian citizens even when poll numbers would have directed otherwise."

Shortly after taking office in 1990, Weld signed an executive order providing domestic partner benefits for gay and lesbian state workers. He also signed hate crimes legislation and expanded anti-discrimination legislation. Ten years ago this month, Weld continued to break new ground with the creation of a Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, which was charged to reduce suicide rates among gay and lesbian youth in the commonwealth.

Senator Sprague has a distinguished career as a local official, state representative, state senator and a candidate for congress. Senator Sprague has an impressive life story as a veteran, mother of six and grandmother of 10. She has been married for over 50 years to her husband, Warren. "Senator Sprague is an ideal spokeswoman for fairness and equality. Log Cabin is proud to recognize Jo Ann for her inclusive leadership, particularly her strong opposition to efforts to amend the Massachusetts Constitution in the wake of the recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision," said Guerriero.

Saying he was "honored to be honored," Weld spoke to a large crowd at the Union Club in Boston on December 11, 2003. Governor Mitt Romney [R], Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey [R] and former Governor Jane Swift [R] also attended the event, praising Weld for his long commitment to expanding the GOP.

In passionate remarks, Weld urged those in attendance to continue the Log Cabin mission of making tolerance and inclusion a permanent part of the Republican Party. Weld offered his words of support for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision authored by his appointee to the court, Margaret Marshall. Republican Governors Weld, Celluci and Swift appointed six out of the seven justices now on the court.

"The award ceremony was a powerful reminder of Log Cabin's strong belief that it will take work in both political parties before we realize fairness for all citizens," concluded Guerriero.