[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1215-E1216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF TED MAINES

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, 
Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Ted Maines. 
Born and raised in the New York City metropolitan area, Ted started 
doing volunteer work as a teenager in high school. He was taught at an 
early age that ``giving back'' was not only expected of everyone who 
was capable, but that over time it would also serve to define his 
character and give his life meaning.
  Upon moving to Central Florida in 1986, Ted realized that he was at 
the point in his life where he had the means and the time to make a 
difference in his community. Ted became a board member at AIDS Resource 
Alliance/Serenity House, an organization providing assistance to HIV 
positive adults, children, and their families. After the LGBT March on 
Washington in 1993, Ted joined, and quickly became an officer of both 
the Orange County Rainbow Democratic Club, and Central Floridians 
United Against Discrimination, helping to advance the issue of LGBT 
Equality. Ted and his partner, Jeff Miller, also began fundraising for 
local, statewide, and national Democratic candidates, which they 
continue to do today.
  Ted has served on several City Boards, most notably serving five 
years on the City of Orlando's Historic Preservation Board, including 
two years as Chair. For the past four years he has also served on the 
Orange County Library System's Board of Trustees, of which he is 
currently President.
  In addition to political fund raising, Ted served as Chair of Hope & 
Help's Headdress Ball in 2005 and 2006, and is an honorary Co-Chair 
again this year. Ted and his now husband, Jeff, have been Chairs of the 
Holocaust Memorial Center of Central Florida's Dinner of Tribute in 
2012 and 2013, and Chaired the Orlando Ballet's 40th Anniversary Gala, 
`Expose!', in 2014. The Gala was so successful that it has become an 
annual event that Ted and Jeff will co-chair again in 2015. Ted and 
Jeff are also Co-Chairs of the Grand Opening Gala for the Dr. Phillips 
Center for the Performing Arts.
  Ted is proud to currently serve on Nemours Children's Hospital 
Council, on the Board of the Orlando Ballet, as President of the Orange 
County Library System's Board of Trustees, and his Homeowners 
Association Board of Trustees. Ted and Jeff are supporters of the 
Holocaust Center's UpStander Anti-Bullying program, which was founded 
by Jeff. They are members of The Orlando Museum of Art's Acquisition 
Trust, University of Central Florida's Flying Horse Press, Hope & 
Help's Circle of Life, Equality Florida, and Human Rights Campaign's 
Federal Club.
  Marrying Jeff, his partner of 31 years, last August in New York City 
fulfilled a lifelong dream. Ted and Jeff are both strongly committed to 
realizing the goal of achieving Marriage Equality in all 50 states, 
including their home state, Florida.
  Ted and Jeff have been extremely proud and grateful to have had their 
contributions and achievements acknowledged in their local community. 
They were named to Orlando Magazine's ``50 Most Powerful'' list for the 
past five years, and in 2012 they were named Orlando's ``Most Powerful 
Couple'', quite an achievement for a same-sex couple and truly a sign 
of progress for the LGBT community.
  I am happy to honor Ted Maines, during LGBT Pride Month, for his work 
on behalf of HIV/AIDS patients, the LGBT community, and the arts in 
Central Florida.

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