[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALAN RAY JORDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, 
Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Alan Ray 
Jordan. Alan was a bright light whose flame was extinguished far too 
early. Born and raised in Georgia, Alan moved to Orlando later in life.
  Soon after Alan moved to Orlando, he met Billy Manes. Alan and Billy 
knew, almost immediately, that they had found someone special in each 
other. Billy described Alan as ``a charmer who looked like a black-and-
white film star and talked like John Wayne.''
  In 2003, Billy was asked to run for interim Mayor of Orlando. Alan 
was Billy's biggest supporter, becoming his campaign treasurer and 
coach. Alan was the rock behind Orlando's first openly-gay candidate 
for Mayor. Billy's candidacy, with Alan's help and support, would 
change Orlando's political landscape.
  Alan's friends recognized his selfless commitment to Billy through 
his celebration of Billy's accomplishments. He was Billy's partner in 
helping to highlight the inequalities that gay couples faced in making 
lives together.
  Alan's health began declining in 2006, forcing him to go on long-term 
disability. With the help of Billy, Alan was able to stay active and 
take care of his family despite his ailing health. Billy and Alan 
decided that they needed to protect themselves in a state that refused 
to recognize their union.
  In 2007, Alan joined Billy in testing the legal limits in gaining 
rights as a same-sex couple. Alan allowed his life with Billy to be 
detailed in an Orlando Weekly article in an effort to examine the 
injustice faced by gay couples seeking marriage equality. Alan's 
courage in helping to reveal the struggle that same-sex couples face, 
helped to give fuel to the marriage equality movement in Florida.
  Alan's health took a turn for the worse in 2011, and despite Billy's 
heroic efforts to stop his decline Alan would ultimately take his own 
life in the spring of 2012.
  Alan Ray Jordan was a gift to our community. His support of one of 
Orlando's foremost advocates for equality, peace, and justice and his 
own voice and struggle for the community have made the world a better 
place.
  I am honored to recognize Alan's commitment and sacrifices for our 
community and lament the fact that he is no longer with us. Alan 
Jordan's legacy will be one that inspires generations to come and helps 
to remind all of us of the human toll that inequality and prejudice 
will take if not corrected.
  On behalf of Billy Manes and the Central Florida community, I am 
proud to honor Alan Ray Jordan, during LGBT Pride Month.

                          ____________________