[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE FOR ELVIS DURAN AND ALEX CARR

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                             HON. MAX ROSE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2019

  Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask all of my 
colleagues to join me in honoring two outstanding individuals who share 
an unquestionable commitment to improving the lives of Staten Islanders 
and to supporting our borough's LGBTQ community--Z100's Elvis Duran, 
and his fiance, the Staten Island Zoo's own Alex Carr.
   If there's one thing Staten Islanders know all too well, it's 
sitting in traffic in the morning listening to the radio. The work that 
Elvis Duran does every day to make that commute just a little less 
grueling deserves recognition all by itself. But Elvis is so much more 
than a New York City radio legend. Whether he is contributing to the 
Robin Hood Foundation which fights poverty in New York City, supporting 
the LGBTQ community through his work with GLAAD and The Trevor Project, 
or generously supporting local Staten Island causes with his fiance, 
Alex, Mr. Duran has continually shown a commitment to helping those in 
need.
   Our borough is known for its sense of community and through it, the 
people who make it one of the best places to raise a family. It is that 
commitment to community and supporting our borough in ways, both big 
and small, that Alex has exemplified. When there is someone 
struggling--whether a close friend or stranger--there's a good chance 
Alex will be there to help in some capacity. It's who he is, and Staten 
Island has been made better because of his efforts.
   And so it should be no surprise that when Staten Island's own LGBTQ 
community needed help with a fundraiser, Elvis and his fiance Alex went 
above and beyond to help out. They offered to do a dollar for dollar 
match of donations to the Staten Island Pride Center, raised awareness 
of the Pride Center's work on social media, and helped raise over 
$25,000.
   Their philanthropic efforts have impacted many lives, but there is 
nothing more powerful than individuals with large platforms sharing 
their stories and helping others feel accepted. Elvis and Alex have 
opened their lives to Staten Island, the City, and the country whether 
it's through the Morning Show, the Staten Island Zoo, or just the 
extraordinary acts of kindness they have demonstrated time and time 
again.
   Staten Island is a place where we look out for each other and where 
we never hesitate to help those in need. Few people embody that more 
than Elvis Duran and Alex Carr. For that reason, the Pride Center of 
Staten Island will be honoring Alex and Elvis at its celebration 
commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots on June 21, 
2019.
   Madam Speaker, today I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in 
recognizing Alex as everything a Staten Islander ought to be, Elvis 
Duran as an honorary Staten Islander and in thanking them for their 
many years of selfless and compassionate service to Staten Island, and 
to all of New York City.

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