[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9837-9839]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER (LBGT) PRIDE MONTH

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following.


    recognizing the leadership of state representative joe saunders

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and 
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize State Representative Joe 
Saunders. Representative Saunders was elected to the Florida House on 
November 6, 2012 to serve House District 49 in East Orange County, and 
made history as one of Florida's first openly gay state lawmakers.
  A graduate of the University of Central Florida's Political Science, 
Women's Studies, and Legal Studies programs, Joe began his political 
work as a community organizer on campus. As a campus leader, Joe fought 
for environmental protections, affordable tuition rates, and stronger 
anti-discrimination policies. He also ran civic engagement programs to 
register and empower young voters.
  After graduating in 2005, Joe began working for Equality Florida, a 
statewide civil rights group dedicated to educating and advocating for 
the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Over the past 
ten years, he has led coalitions that have won non-discrimination 
protections for over 1.5 million people in Central Florida. Joe was 
also a key leader in the 2008 passage of the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up 
for All Students Act, Florida's first anti-bullying law.
  In addition to his legislative duties, Representative Saunders 
currently serves as the Director of Civic Engagement for the Equality 
Florida Institute where he works to register and engage progressive 
voters in the political process. He also directs the Equality Florida 
Institute's Equality Means Business program where he works to improve 
Florida's national and international reputation by spotlighting major 
employers in Florida who are leading the way on inclusion and 
diversity.
  Joe has held leadership roles with Planned Parenthood of Greater 
Orlando, the Central Florida Disability Chamber of Commerce, Orange 
County Democratic Executive Committee, and was a board member at Mad 
Cow Theatre.
  A respected leader in arts education, for several years Joe has 
chaired the Osceola Arts for a Complete Education Coalition which 
advocates for quality arts education in K-12 public schools. He is a 
member of ``The Circle'' coalition for the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts 
Center and a past board member for the arts education non-profit, 
Applause Academy. Recognizing Joe's contributions, the Florida Alliance 
for Arts Education awarded him with their 2013 Leadership Award.
  During the 2013 and 2014 legislative session, Rep. Saunders filed the 
Florida Competitive Workforce Act which would ban employment and 
housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender 
identity. The bi-partisan bill earned 35 co-sponsors including 10 
Republicans.
  Rep. Saunders serves on the House Education Committee, Higher 
Education and Workforce Subcommittee, Health Quality Subcommittee and 
is the Ranking Democratic member of the Choice and Innovation 
Subcommittee.
  I am happy to honor Representative Joe Saunders, during LGBT Pride 
Month, for his leadership and service to the Central Florida community.


           Recognizing the Contributions of Michael Slaymaker

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and 
Transgender (LGBT)

[[Page 9838]]

Pride Month, to recognize Michael Slaymaker. Michael has a phenomenal 
record of success in his career as a fundraising professional and a gay 
rights advocate. Whether the nonprofit organization was large or small, 
Michael's knowledge, skills, abilities, and dedication to the mission 
of these organizations earned the same results--he doubled the 
fundraising revenues, in some cases increased the revenues ten-fold. 
During his career, Michael Slaymaker has generated over $33 million for 
nonprofit organizations.
  Michael started out as a volunteer fundraiser for the Orlando Gay 
Chorus (OGC) in August 1998, but was quickly hired as a part time 
contract employee to help the small arts organization. During his 
tenure, he helped OGC increase their annual budget from $28,000 to 
$189,000. Raising funds for a gay organization in Orlando was a 
challenge, but Michael's commitment to diversity and his belief in the 
chorus' vision to use music to change images and attitudes, build a 
stronger community, and make the world a better place created a 
tremendous impact. Many local arts organization in Orlando have closed 
their doors, but due to the ten years of success from Michael's 
fundraising efforts, OGC continues to entertain audiences and remain 
solvent.
  Orlando Youth Alliance (OYA) provides a safe space for Central 
Florida gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning teenagers 
through support groups, and social, educational, and recreational 
activities, so that none of the youth will ever feel that suicide is 
the answer. In 2007, Michael Slaymaker became the volunteer Board 
President. Although the organization was founded in 1990, it took 
Michael's leadership and knowledge to secure a 501(c)(3) designation 
and take this tiny nonprofit organization to new levels. Michael 
strengthened the board and volunteer structure and increased the number 
of chapters, so that the number of youth being served could increase 
significantly. Michael serves as the main volunteer fundraiser and 
leader today. He has increased their annual campaign from $1,900 to a 
high of $49,000 for this all-volunteer organization. Over the past 25 
years, OYA has impacted the lives of 1,300 young people and not a 
single one has committed suicide.
  After being denied a job by a local non-profit because he was gay, 
Michael recruited a group of volunteers to change local ordinances and 
policies to make sure what happened to him would never happen to anyone 
else. In April, 2000, Michael founded the Orlando Anti-Discrimination 
Ordinance Committee (OADO). The mission of OADO is to secure protection 
for Central Florida residents from discrimination on the basis of 
sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Under Michael's 
leadership, drive, and direction the group has amended or updated a 
staggering 15 ordinances and policies in Orange County, Florida.
  I am happy to honor Michael Slaymaker, during LGBT Pride Month, for 
his contributions to the Central Florida community.


            Recognizing the Contributions of Randy Stephens

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and 
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Randy Stephens. Raised in 
rural Alabama by blue collar parents, Randy learned activism at an 
early age. Both parents were officials with local unions and were role 
models for employee activism. The picket line was Randy's childhood 
playground. Upon graduation from Talladega High School, Randy attended 
Auburn University where he became involved in student government. His 
interest in government grew while attending Cumberland School of Law 
from which he graduated in 1981.
  After serving as staff attorney for Justice Eric Embry of the Alabama 
Supreme Court, Randy took a position with the Alabama Education 
Association (AEA). While serving as attorney and lobbyist, Randy worked 
on influencing politics by using a statewide network of teachers and 
support personnel in local campaigns. As a result, AEA was a dominant 
voice in state politics for decades.
  Looking for a change, Randy relocated to Florida in 1992. The 
activist in him began to get restless. He became involved in, and later 
chaired, the Rainbow Democratic Club and became the GLBT Democratic 
Caucus's Region Director for Central Florida. Randy helped lay the 
groundwork for identifying and registering LGBT persons in Orange 
County. Thousands of members of the community were registered, giving 
the community increased influence in many local and statewide 
elections. Randy also served as a member of the Orlando Anti-
Discrimination Ordinance Committee (OADO) which successfully championed 
for equality rights in both the City of Orlando and the Orange County 
Board of Commissioners.
  Randy has served as the Executive Director of the GLBT Community 
Center of Central Florida for the past four years. During this time 
``The Center'' has become a vital part of the GLBT Community, hosting 
numerous Town Hall meetings and providing the community with useful 
information on issues like marriage equality. Also, during Randy's 
tenure, The Center expanded its HIV testing hours, becoming the first 
center in Florida to test seven days a week and one of the largest HIV 
testing centers in the state.
  Recently married to his partner, Thomas Berthier, Randy anticipates 
the overturning of the remaining sections of the Defense of Marriage 
Act and the Florida ban on same sex marriage. Randy always looks for 
ways to ensure equality for all.
  I am happy to honor Randy Stephens, during LGBT Pride Month, for his 
contributions to the Central Florida community.


          Recognizing the Contributions of Maria Ruiz Margenot

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and 
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Maria Ruiz Margenot. Born 
in Cuba during Castro's Revolution, Maria witnessed the debilitating 
effect of a culture robbed of its freedoms, rights, and voice. Her 
parents, Victor and Rosaura Ruiz, at immense personal sacrifice, took 
their young children and fled political oppression. Upon arriving in 
the United States, her family was classified as political refugees and 
they were able to obtain green cards.
  Maria's family began anew at the Jersey shore. From her experience as 
a refugee, Maria learned to value the right to vote, to speak out, and 
to seek social justice.
  Maria moved to South Florida, where she found her niche in the 
hospitality industry, as well as a large community of Cuban exiles. 
There, she was able to raise her daughter, Ashley, and experienced and 
embraced both her Cuban and American heritage.
  Through passion and commitment, Maria has become a formidable leader 
in both her industry and community. She is an instrumental figure at 
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, one of the most recognized and respected 
hospitality companies in the world. She serves as Senior Vice President 
of Sales Development, Recruiting and Training. Maria has impacted her 
company by fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity. She has 
championed diversity efforts to ensure everyone will feel accepted and 
valued in the workplace. As a result of employees like Maria, Wyndham 
Vacation Ownership is consistently named a Best Place to Work for 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality.
  As her company's highest-ranking Hispanic woman, she was the founding 
executive sponsor of FUERTE!, a Hispanic employee resource group. Maria 
has shared her personal story through WynPride, her company's group for 
LGBT employees and straight allies. Her work isn't confined to the 
walls of her office building, as she's a strong voice for the LGBT 
population in the business community.
  Maria volunteers for the Human Rights Campaign and serves as Fed Club 
co-chair. She's a member of various civic groups, such as Equality 
Florida, 100 Women Strong, the Florida Diversity Council, the Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, MBA Orlando, and NCLR (National 
Council of La Raza). Following in her mother's footsteps as a strong 
supporter of organizations committed to women's reproductive health, 
she also serves on the board of Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando.
  Maria has represented Wyndham Worldwide at the Top 50 Latina Women 
Award at the White House, has received the Multicultural Leadership 
Award from the Florida Diversity Council, and has been recognized as 
Woman of the Year by the National Professional Women's Association.
  I am happy to honor Maria Ruiz Margenot, during LGBT Pride Month, for 
her contributions to the Central Florida community.


              Recognizing the Contributions of Mary Meeks

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and 
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Mary Meeks. As a child 
Mary learned fearlessness from her mother, Syble Meeks, who taught her 
to recognize injustice and stand up for herself and others. Even back 
then Mary knew she wanted to be an attorney and when she grew up and 
entered law school, civil rights and constitutional law became her 
passion and life's work.
  Mary has practiced law in Central Florida since 1988, where she has 
represented individuals, small business owners, and Fortune 500 
companies for over 26 years. But nothing has been more important or 
gratifying to her than fighting and dismantling discrimination, whether 
on behalf of a client or on behalf of an entire community.
  Currently, Mary is a member of the legal team representing six 
plaintiff couples and

[[Page 9839]]

Equality Florida who have filed a historic lawsuit challenging 
Florida's two state statutes and state constitutional amendment which 
ban marriage equality. She is honored to be working alongside Shannon 
Minter of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the most influential 
attorney in the national LGBT rights movement, to bring marriage 
equality to Florida.
  Mary has worked extensively with municipal and state government to 
write and advocate for legislation to legally protect LGBT individuals, 
couples, and families in Florida. Her work has resulted in numerous 
Human Rights Ordinances and Domestic Partnership Registries, and a 
multitude of Employee Benefits being implemented throughout the state. 
Mary co-authored the 2012 Orlando/Orange County Domestic Partnership 
Registry Ordinance which became model legislation for other local 
communities in Florida. She is also the co-author of Florida Senate and 
House Bills which have been introduced to create a statewide domestic 
partnership registry to provide important legal protections to same-sex 
couples no matter where they live or travel.
  Mary has served the LGBT and wider community in many leadership 
positions, including serving on the Boards of the National LGBT Bar 
Foundation, the Central Florida ACLU Legal Panel, the Orlando Anti-
Discrimination Ordinance Committee, the Central Florida Association for 
Women Lawyers, the Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association, and 
Equality Florida's Central Florida Steering Committee. Mary has taught 
Employment Discrimination Law and Florida Civil Practice as an Adjunct 
Professor at Barry University School of Law, and has served as a 
consultant to The Orlando Business Journal and The Orlando Sentinel on 
employment issues.
  Mary is a frequent speaker and author on employment and civil rights 
issues. Her column, ``Living Loud,'' is featured regularly in The 
Watermark, Florida's statewide LGBT publication. Mary and her wife, 
Vicki Nantz, have produced a series of acclaimed documentaries on 
social justice subjects and have traveled together throughout the state 
advocating for equality.
  I am happy to honor Mary Meeks, during LGBT Pride Month, for her 
contributions to the Central Florida community.

                          ____________________