[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1072-H1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
   MOURNING THE LOSS OF MICHAEL ``MICKEY'' HARMON AND JORDAN CELOTTO

  (Mr. Kennedy of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)

[[Page H1073]]

  

  Mr. KENNEDY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart to 
join Buffalo's LGBTQ+ and arts communities in mourning the tragic and 
senseless deaths of Michael ``Mickey'' Harmon and Jordan Celotto.
  We remember these two extraordinary artists, activists, and partners 
for the impact they made on the lives of countless people. Mickey 
Harmon's art captured the heart and soul of Buffalo: its beauty, its 
grit, its history, and its potential.
  Mickey's vision and skill, in partnership with his fellow artist and 
activist Ari Moore, told the story of Buffalo's LGBTQ+ heroes on a 
mural in the heart of Buffalo's gay nightlife neighborhood. Mickey 
showcased his art at The Good Stuff, his store on beloved Allen Street, 
selling everything from prints of Buffalo's architectural beauty to his 
famous Metallica-inspired Cheektowaga T-shirt.
  His talent can be seen in murals across Buffalo, including most 
recently the beautiful work he completed at the Friends of Night 
People.
  Mickey thrived as a leader in Buffalo's LGBTQ+ and arts communities. 
For 7 years, he organized Allentown's First Fridays, leading to the 
galleries and shops on Allen Street to stay open late on the first 
Friday of every month to promote small businesses.
  He organized innumerable festivals, celebrations, and other 
programming such as Exist and Intersect that celebrated and showcased 
the work of queer artists.
  Just the weekend after his tragic and untimely death, he was 
scheduled to debut his newest event featuring performance art, music, 
and dancing. That event instead became a celebration of life for Mickey 
and Jordan, a heartbreaking yet fitting tribute to their legacies.
  Jordan, too, was a fixture on the arts scene, working with Mickey to 
pull off event after event, selflessly giving back to the community. He 
found his professional home at Remedy House, a unique cafe on Buffalo's 
west side, where he was known for his warm smile, his can-do attitude, 
and his commitment to his colleagues.
  Jordan came to Buffalo from Canada about 5 years ago, after meeting 
Mickey. The two of them truly completed each other, building a home 
filled with love, complete with their beloved cats, Beef and Chicken.
  Mr. Speaker, I will close with some of Mickey's own words to the city 
he loved which he released in a series of postcards at the height of 
the pandemic: ``Let us be reminded of our community's past and present 
so we can all look forward to a more positive future.'' ``It is your 
Buffalo. It is my Buffalo. We are all neighbors.''
  Mr. Speaker, may the families and friends of Mickey Harmon and Jordan 
Celotto be comforted by the joyful memories they each leave behind, and 
may we all do more to build a world they would be proud of. May they 
rest in peace.


              Congratulations to Theodore W. ``Ted'' Lina

  Mr. KENNEDY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Theodore 
W. ``Ted'' Lina on receiving the 2025 St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute 
Man of the Year award.
  Ted is an educator, mentor, and institution in the St. Joe's 
community, striving for excellence and inspiring generations of 
students, including myself.
  Mr. Lina has dedicated his career to instilling a deep respect for 
history, a nuanced understanding of government, and a reverence for 
civic engagement in his students.
  Since 1983, Mr. Lina has brought his passion and expertise to his AP 
government class, however, his impact extends far beyond the classroom.
  In 1984, Mr. Lina hosted the very first St. Joe's political debate. 
The event stemmed from Mr. Lina's passion for local politics and 
American Government.
  For more than 40 years, the SJCI Political Debate has grown into one 
of the seminal, annual public forums for political discourse in the 
entire region.
  Through his leadership in the SJCI Political Debate, Mr. Lina has 
helped cultivate a generation of informed, engaged citizens.
  During the debates, students serve as panelists, fact checkers, and 
timekeepers, but learn lessons that are applied later in life as many 
go on to serve in public life, law, business, and beyond.
  Mr. Lina embodies the Lasallian spirit of faith, service, and 
community. His commitment to St. Joe's and its mission is evident in 
the countless students he has inspired over so many years.
  At a time when our political discourse has deteriorated such that 
finding common ground seems impossible, this work is more important 
than ever.
  On behalf of western New York and a proud Marauder, and student of 
his myself, I extend my deepest gratitude and congratulations to Mr. 
Lina. This honor is well deserved.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank him for his unwavering dedication to our alma 
mater and for shaping the future leaders of our community. Enjoy the 
celebration, and as always, let's go St. Joe's.

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