"If the support Senator Biden has proven on our issues is any indication of the type of Vice President he will be," HRC President Joe Solmonese said on August 23, "then our community can be assured that Senator Obama has chosen a thoughtful and staunch advocate for equality as his closest adviser."

"I'm honored to participate in this event," Biden said. "Discrimination has no place in this country and I am proud to stand with HRC in the fight to end it."

"In selecting Senator Joe Biden as his running mate, Senator Obama has chosen a proven and effective advocate for fairness and equality that our entire community can be proud of," Solmonese added. "Senator Biden's record in the United States Senate is one of support and understanding that has been unwavering throughout his career." Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT advocacy organization, endorsed Senator Obama in June.

Biden, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was hailed for his work towards the repeal of the American ban on HIV-positive visitors and immigrants in the latest renewal of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). "We only need to look back to the recent passage of the repeal of the HIV travel and immigration ban to see the type of leadership we can expect from Senator Biden on the issues important to our community," Solmonese continued. "It was because of his determination and tenacity that we were able to see this relic of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS torn down." Biden is also commended for his opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and his support of extending hate crimes and job bias protections to the LGBT community.

For more information about the National Dinner, click here.