[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 101 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JOHN EDWARD BARBER

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                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                              -of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, 
Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize John Edward 
Barber. John was born to Nancy and Robert Barber on December 3, 1972 in 
Winter Garden, Florida. John graduated from West Orange High School in 
1991 after spending a year in Germany on a Congress-Bundestag 
Scholarship through AFS.
  John then went on to study Political Science and Women's Studies at 
the University of South Florida, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 
1995. While in college, John and Sam Singhaus teamed up to perform as 
their drag characters, Tweeka Louise Weed and Miss Sammy, doing shows 
in Orlando and Tampa.
  John moved to Miami's South Beach, then to Atlanta, before moving 
back to Orlando to attend cosmetology school. He built a faithful 
following as a hair stylist, working most recently at Vamp Hair Salon 
in Orlando's Thornton Park neighborhood. He was voted Favorite Local 
Hair Stylist in Watermark magazine's 2008 ``Wave Awards''.
  He stayed active in politics, using his Tweeka Weed persona as a 
political and social commentator on radio station 106.7 FM (WXXL) 
during the 2008 elections. He was also a volunteer during Orlando Mayor 
Buddy Dyer's campaign and an active political fundraiser and supporter. 
John was also an advocate for HIV and AIDS awareness.
  John was seldom without his sense of humor. He was a consummate 
entertainer wherever he was, whether it was talking to customers as he 
styled their hair or raising funds for a political candidate or 
charity.
  John died Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, after a ten-month battle with 
cancer. He was just 38 years old.
  John's legacy lives on in Orlando through The Barber Fund which he 
founded while undergoing intense cancer treatment. John touched many 
lives and will be remembered as someone who spent his time on Earth 
making our community a better and more beautiful place.
  He is survived by his mother, Nancy Barber; his grandmother, Nancy 
Arnold; his sister, Nancy Barber; his sister and brother-in-law, Robin 
and Ron Branch, and their children, Ellie, Steve, and Bobby Branch; his 
aunt and uncle, Fran and Dan Arnold, Jr.; and his aunt, Carol Booth.
  I am proud to honor the memory of John Edward Barber, during LGBT 
Pride Month.

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