WASHINGTON - Rep. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. - tapped by New Jersey Governor-Elect Jon Corzine to fill his Senate seat - has a strong record of fairness on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues, according to the Human Rights Campaign's congressional scorecard. Menendez has a congressional career rating of 91 percent on the scorecard, siding with equality and fairness in 43 out of 47 scored votes, co-sponsorships and pledges.

"Representative Menendez will be an advocate for fairness in the Senate," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "We congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to working with him as a U.S. senator."

Menendez was first elected in 1992 and steadily built a record of fairness on GLBT equality. His HRC scorecard ratings are: 108th Congress, 100 percent 107th Congress, 100 percent 106th Congress, 100 percent 105th Congress, 88 percent 104th Congress, 78 percent 103rd Congress, 86 percent.

Unfortunately, Menendez voted for the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act - a law signed by President Clinton that purports to allow states not to recognize same-sex couples married in another state, as well as block federal benefits for those unions.

But last year, when right-wing extremists demanded a discriminatory amendment to the Constitution to ban marriage rights for same-sex couples, Menendez strongly spoke out against using the Constitution as a tool for discrimination.

"Senator Corzine has been another tireless advocate for equality and we thank him for his steadfast support of our community," added Solmonese.

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