"Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, Senator Menendez championed LGBT families by pressing the federal government to include them alongside legally-recognized families in its response," said Eric Stern, NSD Executive Director. "We look forward to our members further working with Senator Menendez on important issues that will be brought before the United States Senate."

National Stonewall Democrats will present Senator Menendez and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) with Capitol Champion Awards at its national Capitol Champions event on Thursday, March 9th at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Senator Menendez and Congressman Lewis will receive the award on behalf of their work for LGBT Americans.

Senator Menendez pressed the federal government to provide equal treatment of same-sex families in its response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. The terrorist attacks directly impacted Senator Menendez' congressional district, which sat across the Hudson River from the World Trade Center. Then-Representative Menendez successfully argued that the federal government should offer equal assistance to all surviving families through its Victims' Compensation Fund. Additionally, Senator Menendez worked with the International Association of Fire Fighters and leading Democrats following the September 11th attacks to force the Republican Leadership to allow a vote authorizing a federal death benefit paid to the same-sex partners of first responders who die in the line of duty. Under previous law, only opposite-sex partners were eligible under the benefit.

Previously serving as House Democratic Caucus Chair, Senator Menendez organized the Democratic opposition against the Republican-sponsored anti-marriage amendment. Through an organized Democratic opposition, the amendment failed to pass the United States House of Representatives in 2004. As a representative, Senator Menendez sought to equalize immigration requirements for the foreign same-sex partners of American citizens, and led Democrats on non-discrimination and hate crime legislation.

Senator Menendez was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1992 to represent New Jersey's 13th Congressional District. A leader on health care and labor issues, then-Representative Menendez became the highest ranking Latino in congressional history when he was elected as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

For more information on, and to purchase tickets for, the Capitol Champions event honoring Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) on Thursday, March 9th, please visit www.stonewalldemocrats.org/champions

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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

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