WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese issued the following statement about the passing of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards:

"No one did more to lift up so many Americans through her words and her work. Governor Richards was an American treasure whose leadership, wit and compassion were equaled only by her lifetime commitment to helping women people of color and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people share fully in the American dream.

She forever changed the face of Texas and of Texas government, appointing more openly gay people to office than any governor before her.

We mourn the loss of a friend - a friend who understood that all of us have something to contribute and that Texas and America are stronger when we are united as a people."