WASHINGTON -- The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ("LGBT") civil rights group, today praised the confirmation of Eric Holder as Attorney General of the United States. Holder is a strong supporter of federal hate crimes protections for the LGBT community and would return the department to its rightful place as a defender and protector of civil rights. A former deputy attorney general in the Clinton Administration, Holder was confirmed today by the U.S. Senate in a vote of 75 to 21.

"Eric Holder has long been a voice for fairness and equality for all Americans, including LGBT citizens. The Department of Justice which will now be led by an Attorney General dedicated to civil rights, protecting communities from hate violence and the fair and equal application of our laws," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "We were proud to join our allies in the civil rights community to support this important confirmation."

The Human Rights Campaign joined with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and a broad coalition of civil rights organizations including the NAACP, National Council of La Raza and the National Women's Law Center to support Holder's nomination.

HRC recognized the importance of Holder's confirmation and launched a grassroots campaign to counter the delay tactics by some Republican Senators who sought to politicize the nomination.

The Department of Justice is the primary law enforcement agency of the United States. As a community that is particularly vulnerable to bias-motivated violence, the LGBT community has a particular interest in appointment of an Attorney General who is committed to combating this national problem.

A strong Department of Justice headed by an Attorney General that understands the importance of a strong federal justice system can ensure that the DOJ responds appropriately to the needs of the LGBT community.

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The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.