[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 127 (Thursday, July 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF BILLY MANES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. STEPHANIE N. MURPHY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2017

  Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I 
rise to honor the life and legacy of Billy Manes. Billy passed away 
last week, far too soon, at the age of 45. He is survived by his 
husband, Anthony, and an entire community that admired him. With 
Billy's passing, Orlando lost an icon, and our nation lost a committed, 
passionate, and fierce advocate for equality.
  In Billy's short time with us, he made an indelible impact on our 
city and our country. He was a prominent Orlando journalist and 
commentator, and the power of his words moved and amused central 
Florida. Billy broke barriers, becoming the first openly gay mayoral 
candidate in Orlando's history. After the tragic loss of his partner in 
2012, Billy bravely told his story to the world, putting a human face 
on the pressing need for equal rights for same-sex couples.
  Last year, when our Orlando family was reeling from the Pulse 
nightclub shooting, Billy gave voice to our city's grief. He 
relentlessly focused on the 49 beautiful lives we lost that night. Like 
them, Billy will never be forgotten.
  If you ever had the privilege and the pleasure of meeting Billy, you 
couldn't escape his energy, his passion, and his endearing sense of 
humor.
  Mr. Speaker, it is critical this hallowed chamber carry on the work 
that Billy so valiantly championed. Though we have so much progress to 
celebrate, too many of the inequities that Billy's work spotlighted 
remain.
  May his memory inspire us to redouble our commitment to equality.

                          ____________________