[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 95 (Monday, June 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO DR. GARY HOLLANDER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 15, 2015

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gary Hollander who 
has served as a mentor, teacher, union leader, college instructor, 
consultant, and academic administrator. Gary Hollander is the first and 
only President of Diverse & Resilient, Inc. He founded this nonprofit 
organization to become a voice for the healthy development of Lesbian, 
Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) people in Wisconsin during his 
20 years with the agency. He officially steps down as President and CEO 
of Diverse & Resilient, Inc. in July, 2015.
  The agency's name serves to remind us that LGBT people are 
everywhere, engage in interesting and meaningful lives, and contribute 
to the welfare of each other and the broader community. Diverse & 
Resilient serves over 5,000 LGBT people every year. The agency has 
built the capacity of LGBT groups in Wisconsin and provided direct-
service work to address the health disparities experienced by LGBT 
people in Wisconsin. The agency has focused on six priority areas: 
Acceptance, Cultivating Leaders, Mental Health, Sexual Health, Partner 
& Community Violence, and Substance Use.
  Gary Hollander is a life-long resident of Wisconsin. He earned a 
doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin--
Milwaukee where he earned both graduate and undergraduate honors. Gary 
has both taught and served as a school psychologist in Milwaukee Public 
Schools. He worked at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and was also a 
national consultant for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Gary 
has worked in health care heading up educational and research programs, 
starting and managing an HIV clinic, and held clinical positions in 
family medicine, psychiatry, and psychology. He is also a very active 
volunteer serving on boards of directors of agencies and other 
leadership roles.
  Hollander is an outspoken proponent for LGBT people across Wisconsin. 
He has used his platform to build strong relationships with other 
community agencies in order to educate people on the impact of HIV/AIDS 
in our community and to look at LGBT issues as part of a broader public 
health agenda. Under his leadership, the agency has increased its 
visibility and expanded the number of age groups it attracts and 
serves.
  Although he will no longer be at the helm of Diverse & Resilient, 
Hollander will continue to advocate and empower people who remain 
marginalized based on their race, gender or sexual orientation. He also 
will continue to honor his late husband of 32 years, Paul Mandracchia, 
an artist and dancer who died December 24, 2014 after a long battle 
with multiple sclerosis.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Dr. Gary Hollander. He has left 
a legacy of advocacy and compassion. He is a true trailblazer who has 
labored to increase acceptance and tolerance for not just gay people 
but for all of us. The citizens of the Fourth Congressional District, 
the State of Wisconsin and the nation have benefited tremendously from 
his dedicated service. I am honored for these reasons to pay tribute to 
Dr. Gary Hollander.

                          ____________________