/ADVANCE/ BOSTON, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of a speech by Roberta Achtenberg at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, July 26, 2004:

I, too, am a proud American. In addition to being a Senior Vice President of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, I am a lawyer, a mother, and a lesbian. I am proud to be all of those things and one thing more: a Democrat!

As a former Assistant Secretary in the Clinton Administration, I fought to ensure that our rights and civil liberties were kept safe. Safety without freedom is servitude, and security without liberty is weakness. That is why this Platform affirms that we will protect Americans and their liberties.

In the words of Justice Stevens, "if this Nation is to remain true to the ideals symbolized by its flag, it must not wield the tools of tyrants even to resist an assault by the forces of tyranny." This Platform affirms our Party's commitment to defend our civil liberties and uphold our principles of equality.

We will end the practice of racial and religious profiling. We will reform the Patriot Act to improve our terror-fighting capabilities and protect our freedoms. We also will protect the right of Americans to own firearms, while keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists.

Democrats will appoint an Attorney General who understands the difference between affirmative action and quotas. We will also combat disparate treatment of women in the workplace. We are committed to the Equal Rights Amendment. We will defend a woman's right to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and believe that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.

We Democrats call for gay and lesbian families to be fully included in the life of America, and will seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families. We are committed to equal treatment of all service members.

We reject the Federal Marriage Amendment. Democrats embrace diversity to unite our people and strengthen our country, and reject Republican efforts to exploit our differences and divide our nation. We believe in America's credo that out of many backgrounds and beliefs, Americans can unite as one.

My parents came to America from Russia and Canada because they believed that their children could live freely and equally under the law. This Platform commits us to those principles. That is why I am proud to be a Democrat!

Source: Democratic National Convention Committee

CONTACT:  Peggy Wilhide of the Democratic National Convention Committee,
+1-617-366-3100