EMILY's List Announces Endorsement of Leslie Byrne in Virginia's 11th Congressional District

WASHINGTON, D.C. — EMILY's List, the nation's largest political action committee and financial resource for women running for elective office, today announced its endorsement of Leslie Byrne in Virginia's 11th congressional district.

"Leslie Byrne is a strong, proven leader with more than 20 years of service to her community," said Ellen R. Malcolm, president of EMILY's List. "From her early participation with local PTAs and the League of Women Voters, to her position in the Virginia House of Delegates, to her term in the U.S. Congress, Leslie has shown uncommon integrity, leadership and dedication. EMILY's List is proud to support Leslie Byrne in her bid to represent Virigina's 11th District."

Leslie Byrne served seven years in the Virginia House of Delegates, a term as Virginia's first female representative to the U.S. Congress, two years as the White House Director of Consumer Affairs, and four years in the Virginia State Senate. While serving in the Virginia legislature, she earned a reputation amongst her colleagues as a hard worker and helped work on important bills that protected senior citizens, increased transportation safety, and preserved consumer rights. She successfully sponsored measures ranging from tax relief for the elderly and disabled to a a $200 million rebate to taxpayers.

In 1992, she was elected to Congress as the first representative from Virginia's 11th district and as the first woman ever elected to Congress from Virginia. Her fellow freshman Democratic members of the 103rd Congress elected her to the leadership position of caucus whip. Byrne quickly established herself as a leader among her freshman colleagues; introducing and passing more legislation than any other newly elected representative. In just her first session, she had two of her measures on childhood immunization passed into law. She was also influential in preventing cuts in federal workers' wages and benefits and led the effort to improve federal oversight of the nation's 1.7 million miles of natural gas and petroleum pipelines.

"I am thankful to have the support of thousands of EMILY's List members" said Byrne. "I will find solutions to problems currently facing the nation and Virginia through my proven effectiveness and years of experience as a legislator."

With more than 100,000 members across the country, EMILY's List is the largest political action committee in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has raised over $240 million to elect 69 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 13 to the U.S. Senate, and eight governors. Over the course of 22 years, EMILY's List has helped elect hundreds of pro-choice Democratic women to federal office, state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices.

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