[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 24, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARY ANNE METAXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, 
Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Mary Anne 
Metaxas. Born to William and Mary Jane Metaxas in Columbus, Ohio, she 
is the youngest of five children. She grew up in New Jersey and spent 
many of her summers at the Jersey shore. Metaxas enjoyed growing up in 
a large family and maintains a very close relationship with all of her 
siblings and their respective families.
  Metaxas earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the 
Florida State University and is a proud Seminoles football fan. After 
college, Metaxas entered the video production industry and quickly 
realized her passion for creating entertaining and effective media.
  Metaxas soon joined i.d.e.a.s. at Disney MGM Studios, as a freelance 
Producer. Through this role, she worked on a variety of projects for 
Fortune 500 companies, theme parks, the Disney Company, museums, and 
broadcast television. Metaxas stayed with the company, now known as 
IDEAS, when it transitioned to private ownership in 2001. She has been 
an integral part of the IDEAS creative team since its inception, 
serving as producer, director, post-supervisor, and creative 
consultant. She currently serves as Vice President of Media Production 
and leads the creative team on all IDEAS media projects.
  Metaxas is both a longtime supporter and volunteer for the Human 
Rights Campaign. As a Federal Club member, she played an integral role 
in creating the Orlando HRC community and continues to help nurture its 
growth. She has served in a volunteer capacity at a variety of local 
events over the years and attended the HRC National Dinner in 
Washington, DC with other national leaders.
  Metaxas has a special place in her heart for dogs. For many years, 
she has volunteered for Florida Little Dog Rescue and has fostered too 
many puppies and dogs to count. She takes great pride in helping to 
rehabilitate rescued dogs, and feels great joy in seeing them recover 
and thrive. The care she takes in ensuring her foster dogs are adopted 
into great homes is commendable. As a sign of gratitude for her 
commitment, many of the new families keep in touch long after the 
adoption.
  Metaxas can often be seen around Orlando on her vintage-style 
scooter. She has utilized this passion to help raise money for Libby's 
Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation's annual ``Scooters for Hooters'' 
events. She was named 2010 Fundraising Freak for raising the most 
donations and has served as captain of the multi-year highest 
fundraising team. She continues to ride in memory of her beloved mother 
who passed away in 2001.
  Metaxas is an active member of the Orlando community and supports a 
variety of other local non-profit and political organizations including 
Hope and Help of Central Florida, Metropolitan Business Association, 
Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando, and the Zebra Coalition.
  Metaxas resides in Orlando, Florida with her spouse Jennifer Foster. 
On their 10-year anniversary in 2013, the couple was honored to be able 
to legally marry. They live happily with their three dogs (Matti, Maci, 
and Patrick), and two cats (Graci and Kevin).
  I am happy to honor Mary Anne Metaxas, during LGBT Pride Month, for 
her professional and civic contributions to the Central Florida 
community.

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