[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF KEITH ORR AND MARTIN CONTRERAS FOR THEIR COMMUNITY 
                                ACTIVISM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2016

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Keith Orr and 
Martin Contreras, two Ann Arbor LGBTQ businessmen and activists, on the 
date of UNIFIED--HIV Health and Beyond's 13th Annual Wine Cellar 
fundraiser. Mr. Orr and Mr. Contreras are successful business owners 
who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and provide resources to 
the LGBTQ community in southeast Michigan.
  Mr. Contreras and Mr. Orr have played a crucial role in building the 
LGBTQ community through their business and philanthropic initiatives. 
In 1995, they founded /aut/Bar, a gay bar and restaurant that today 
serves as a key pillar of the LGBTQ community in the Ann Arbor area. 
The couple also runs Common Language Books, an LGBTQ bookstore that 
also hosts authors, forums and serves as a social center for the gay 
community. Additionally, Mr. Contreras and Mr. Orr have been involved 
in many charitable causes, including UNIFIED--HIV Health and Beyond, 
which provides care, prevention and outreach services to individuals 
affected by HIV in southeast Michigan. Their sponsorship and support 
has been critical to the growth and development of UNIFIED and has 
allowed the organization to provide better care throughout the region.
  Mr. Contreras and Mr. Orr's involvement in the LGBTQ and greater Ann 
Arbor area has helped make the city a great place to live and work. 
Their businesses not only effectively serve the gay community, but they 
also contribute to the multicultural and welcoming environment that has 
been critical to the growth and development of Ann Arbor. It is my hope 
that Mr. Contreras and Mr. Orr will remain active in promoting the 
values of tolerance and respect. Their leadership has effectively 
served the city's residents.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the 
Keith Orr and Martin Contreras for their success in business and 
impactful leadership in the community. Their success and activism are 
worthy of commendation, and it is my hope that they continue to play a 
leading role in the Ann Arbor community in the years ahead.

                          ____________________