Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement marking 40 years since the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk:

“Forty years ago, in a moment of horror and heartbreak, San Francisco lost two beloved sons and our nation lost two visionary, progressive leaders. Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk epitomized San Francisco’s values of inclusion and equality. Their tragic loss and their transformative legacies continue to inspire us to champion our nation’s bedrock promise of freedom, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, creed or background.

“Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Milk’s lives were dedicated to expanding opportunity and promoting justice. Their vision and integrity helped ensure that all voices were heard and that every member of our community had a seat at the table. In San Francisco, we like to say ‘the beauty is in the mix,’ and thanks to Moscone and Milk’s pioneering work, our city and our government more fully reflect the beauty and diversity that is our strength. It was a true blessing to know Harvey Milk and to see first-hand his and Mayor Moscone’s exuberant, expansive and compassionate leadership. They were beacons of hope to us all, and they transformed the political and social culture of San Francisco for all time.

“Today, our communities face an unprecedented assault on our guiding values of liberty, justice and equality. Our new House Democratic Majority will proudly honor Moscone and Milk’s legacies by expanding economic opportunities, protecting our patriotic Dreamers and passing the Equality Act to remove all doubt that sexual orientation and gender identity warrant full civil rights protections, not just in the workplace but every place. Four decades after Moscone and Milk’s work was so tragically cut short, we proudly reaffirm our shared mission to oppose bigotry and discrimination, and advance progress for all Americans.”