[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E637-E638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DAVID MINK AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR 
                           LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 30, 2026

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor David Mink as a Distinguished 
Leader in Central Florida for LGBTQ+ Pride Month. David Mink has called 
Central Florida home since 1993, when he entered the University of 
Central Florida as a college freshman pursuing a degree in theater 
performance. While he ultimately received a BA in liberal studies with 
a minor in hospitality management, it was there that David began to 
learn more about the non-profit world and how civic groups work 
together to make the community a better place for everyone.
  While at UCF, David joined the Gay & Lesbian Student Union and became 
immersed in the theater program, which included the Alpha Psi Omega 
honor fraternity for college thespians. Through these groups and his 
work at the Walt Disney World Resort, he became an avid volunteer in 
the Central Florida community. From volunteering with Junior 
Achievement in Orange County Public Schools to cleaning up public areas 
and parks around Central Florida, David also volunteered at various 
theater events, food kitchens, animal shelters, and more to simply give 
back to the community he had fallen in love with while at UCF.
  In 2008, David worked with local artists and arts leaders to create 
one of the first, albeit sholt-lived, LGBTQ+ theater festivals in 
Central Florida that featured short plays written

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and directed by members of the local LGBTQ+ community.
  After 20 years in non-profit theater, he recently changed course to 
take on a leadership role at The Pride Chamber, formerly the 
Metropolitan Business Association, where he is focused on supporting 
businesses, professionals, individuals, and charitable pursuits in the 
LGBTQ+ and allied communities. He also recently joined the Board of 
Directors at The Center Orlando, which is about to celebrate 50 years 
of providing guidance, support, and community to the LGBTQ+ residents 
of Central Florida.

                          ____________________