[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 3 (Thursday, January 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E35]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF FLORIDA'S LGBT COMMUNITY

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 8, 2015

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Florida's LGBT community in their fight against 
discrimination. In particular, I would like to commend their commitment 
to bringing marriage equality to the great State of Florida.
  Following decades of advocacy and exhaustive legal battles, marriage 
equality finally became legal this week in Florida. At 12:01 a.m. on 
January 6, 2015, the Osceola County Courthouse opened its doors. I 
stood with Armando Ramirez, the county's Clerk of Courts, as he 
conducted the first same-sex marriage ceremony in Central Florida, 
which united County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb and her partner of 22 
years, Patti Daugherty. At long last, the promise of marriage equality 
was fulfilled.
  More than twenty couples participated in marriage ceremonies, before 
the courthouse doors closed at 2 a.m. These couples had at last 
achieved one of the greatest promises of this nation, the promise of 
equal protection under the law.
  What this demonstrated is that the American Dream is not really about 
a house, a job, or a 401(k) plan. The American Dream is also about 
love, opportunity, and equality--the promise that each and every one of 
us has the right to love whomever we please, and the opportunity to 
have our love recognized equally by the law.
  Thanks to the unrelenting efforts of Floridians fighting for marriage 
equality, same-sex couples in Florida finally had that opportunity. The 
marriages that began on January 6th at 12:01 a.m. could not have 
happened without the perseverance of these individuals.
  To those Floridians who fought for this day, I say 
``congratulations'' and ``thank you.'' Thank you for helping our State 
and our communities come one step closer to true equality. I am proud 
to have worked with you to achieve this goal. There is more work to be 
done, and I look forward to serving as your ally in the years ahead.
  The Osceola County Commission and the Osceola County Clerk of Courts 
Armando Ramirez also deserve thanks for their efforts. When county 
clerks in Florida were advised that they would face arrest if they 
issued same-sex licenses, Commissioner Grieb and I called on State 
Attorney Jeff Ashton to promise that he would not prosecute clerks for 
doing so. Thankfully, he agreed. Following my letter urging the County 
Commission to ensure that same-sex marriages could take place in 
Osceola County immediately, the Commission and the Clerk worked 
together to issue licenses and conduct ceremonies as soon as legally 
possible.
  I also want to acknowledge the Floridians who fought for marriage 
equality but never lived to see this dream become reality. For those 
who called for marriage equality when others said it was impossible; 
those who had the audacity to believe in equality when many could not; 
and those who paved the way for this historical achievement but never 
experienced it for themselves. This is their legacy. May their memory 
serve as an inspiration for the next generation of Floridians striving 
to achieve a more equal and just world.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to celebrate this enormous 
accomplishment and honor the Floridians who made this happen.

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