[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JULIE CARSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOIS FRANKEL

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 2015

  Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Wilton 
Manors City Commissioner, Julie Carson and her work with the LGBT 
community.
  Commissioner Carson is being presented with the ``Community Partner 
for Equality'' award from Equality Florida for her tireless work for 
the LGBT community.
  In 2010, Carson became the first openly lesbian elected official in 
Broward County. Throughout her tenure as Commissioner, she has focused 
on helping the homeless, assisting the elderly, advocating for people 
living with HIV/AIDS, and supporting the Transgender community. 
Specifically, she sponsored the Equal Benefits Ordinance and the 
Broward County Vendor Preference Ordinance, which ensured equal 
benefits to all married couples. She is also proud of her continued 
dialogue and collaboration between the Transgender community and the 
Wilton Manors Police Department.
  Outside of her duties as Commissioner, Carson is a free-lance 
paralegal and a guest lecturer at Florida Atlantic University. She 
enjoys spending time with her partner Susan and horseback riding in her 
free time.
  I congratulate Commissioner Carson on her award and thank her for all 
her tremendous work for the South Florida LGBT community. I am proud to 
represent her in the 22nd District and wish her all the best in her 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________