From left to right (standing): McKim Mitchell (D), Marlene DeChane (D), Jim Splaine (D), Raymond Buckley (D), all State Representatives; (seated)Rick Tombly (D), State Senator, Governor Jeanne Shaheen (D), New Hampshire’s first woman executive officer. Photo by Ron Schlittler.

Jim Splaine (D)

Born August 7, 1947

State Representative, District 34

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

18,000 constituents

Career Overview

Elected to City Council 1969

Re-elected 1973, 1977

Came out 1979

Re-elected 1991, 1993

Elected to Charter Commission 1987

Elected to School Board 1979

Elected to State Senate 1978

Re-elected 1980, 1982

Elected to State House of Representatives 1990

Re-elected 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006

Resolution Honoring New Hampshire Pride Day, June 19, 1999

New Hampshire State Senate, Concord, New Hampshire

Whereas, New Hampshire Pride Day is for all of New Hampshire’s people to come together as one community and unify us as Granite Staters; and

Whereas, New Hampshire has become a state that embraces diversity at all levels and holds true to civil rights for all; and

Whereas, New Hampshire is one of only 11 states in the nation not only to recognize equal rights for gays and lesbians, but also to guarantee that gays and lesbians cannot be discriminated against in employment, housing public accommodation or credit; and

Whereas, gays and lesbians are protected in New Hampshire by a strong hate crimes statute that seeks to prevent abominable and horrific crimes such as those committed against Matthew Shepard; and

Whereas, adults in New Hampshire can choose their own guardians – thereby allowing domestic partners to care for one another and make medical decisions in times of infirmity or incapacity; and

Whereas, gays and lesbians can now adopt children and be foster parents in New Hampshire allowing for the promotion of true family values; and

Whereas, New Hampshire is on the verge of enacting a civil rights bill that will allow gays and lesbians to obtain restraining orders against their harassers;

Now Therefore, pursuant to a motion of Senator Rick Trombly:

Be It Resolved, by the New Hampshire Senate that this legislative body hereby congratulates and honors New Hampshire’s Gay and Lesbian Community on this day that truly represents our “Live Free or Die” philosophy.