Alan Grayson

Mr. GRAYSON

Mr. GRAYSON. I thank the chairman. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chair, this amendment is identical to other amendments that have been inserted by voice vote into every appropriations bill that has been considered under an open rule during this Congress. My amendment would expand the list of parties with whom the Federal Government is prohibited from contracting because of serious misconduct on the part of those contractors. It is my hope that this amendment will remain noncontroversial and that it will, again, be passed unanimously by this House.

Mr. GRAYSON. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. GRAYSON. Reclaiming my time, I thank the ranking member for making that notation. We have compared that language to this language. We respectfully believe that this language is broader and covers more situations, more contractors who have committed wrongdoing, but I appreciate the ranking member pointing that out, and I certainly support the provision that he cited. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAYSON. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chair, in the interest of brevity, I respectfully ask unanimous consent to have the point of order, if any, heard now in advance of my argument.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chair, I respectfully am willing to yield my time to the gentleman from New Jersey if the gentleman will explain to me what part of this provision offends----

Mr. GRAYSON. I will reiterate what I just said, Mr. Chair.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chair, I did ask that I wanted to yield to the gentleman from New Jersey to specify.

Mr. GRAYSON. I understand that, Mr. Chair. I am asking if the gentleman from New Jersey would provide additional information as part of my argument.

Mr. GRAYSON. Yes, Mr. Chair. I will say it again. I am offering to yield to the gentleman from New Jersey if the gentleman from New Jersey will identify any part of this amendment that offends the relevant rule.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chair, I think it is clear that there is no part of this amendment that offends the relevant rule. I yielded to the gentleman from New Jersey who raised the point of order. I am still willing to yield to the gentleman who raised a point of order. If there is no part of this amendment that can be identified as offending the relevant rule, clearly it does not offend the relevant rule. This, in fact, does not in any way legislate. I invite any Member of this body here today who can identify any part of this amendment that constitutes legislation on the relevant rule. Since no one can, it follows that the point of order must be overruled.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to address a growing problem throughout our country, the militarization of local law enforcement agencies. Police in our communities should be engaged in community policing. Unfortunately, all too often, local police departments have begun to look like military units preparing for battle on America's streets. We fight our wars abroad, not at home, and the weapons and tactics used on our local streets should reflect that fact. The New York Times recently reported that: Police departments have received thousands of pieces of camouflage and night-vision equipment and hundreds of silencers, armored cars, and aircraft. I think this is appalling. My amendment would prohibit the Department of Defense from gifting excess equipment, such as aircraft--including drones--armored vehicles, grenade launchers, silencers, bombs, and so on to local police departments. There is no mass rebellion brewing here in the United States. There are no improvised explosive devices on the sides of our roads, but the abuse of military equipment to ward off these nonexistent threats is happening nonetheless. So, of course, what you would expect to happen is happening. As The New York Times article, ``War Gear Flows to Police Departments'' explains: Police SWAT teams are now deployed tens of thousands of times each year, increasingly for routine jobs. Masked, heavily-armed police officers raided a nightclub in 2006 as part of a liquor inspection. In Florida in 2010, officers in SWAT gear and with guns drawn carried out raids on barbershops that mostly led to charges of ``barbering without a license.'' DOD equipment is changing the mentality of police departments throughout our country. Recruiting videos now feature clips of officers storming into homes with smoke grenades and firing automatic weapons into homes, as well as clips of officers creeping through the fields in camouflage--war camouflage. This is not policing; this is war. One South Carolina sheriff's department now takes its new tanklike vehicle with a mounted .50-caliber gun to schools and community events. The department spokesman said his tank is a conversation starter. That is not a conversation I want us to have. I think this is wrong. The Federal Government should not be encouraging our public servants to view America as occupied territory. I prefer the views of Ronald Teachman, the police chief in South Bend, Indiana. According to that New York Times article, he decided not to request a mine-resistant vehicle for his city of South Bend, Indiana. He said: I go to schools, and I bring ``Green Eggs and Ham.'' Let's encourage leaders like the very appropriately named Ronald Teachman. Let's not treat our citizens as terrorists, and let's help our police act like the public servants they need to be. I reserve the balance of my time. Point of Order

Mr. GRAYSON. Yes.

Mr. GRAYSON. There is no new determination out of this amendment. I call your attention to the specific language here. It says: None of the funds made available in this act may be used to make aircraft (including unmanned aerial vehicles), armored vehicles, grenade launchers, silencers, toxicological agents (including chemical agents, biological agents, and associated equipment), launch vehicles, guided missiles, ballistic missiles, rockets, torpedoes, bombs, mines, or nuclear weapons (as identified for demilitarization purposes outlined in Department of Defense Manual 4160.28). In other words, all the terms that I just described are as identified for demilitarization purposes as outlined in Department of Defense Manual 4160.28. Since they are in the Department of Defense Manual 4160.28, they require no new determination of law. I will continue: Available to local law enforcement agencies through the Department of Defense Excess Personal Property Program. Again, local enforcement agencies is a defined term under statute. The Excess Personal Property Program is established, as this amendment indicates, pursuant to section 1033 of Public Law 104-201, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. Therefore, every single term that is used here is a term defined in law. There is no new determination to be made by anybody, including the people who enforce this amendment.

Mr. GRAYSON

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chairman, the purpose of this amendment is to reverse $5.5 million in cuts for food safety and food inspection here in the United States. Currently, the Food Safety and Inspection Service is funded at $1,005,189,000 in this bill. That is $5.5 million below the current enacted amount and $17.581 million below the Senate allocation in their agriculture appropriations bill. This bill seeks to remove $5.5 million from a pay-for from the Farm Service Agency. The Farm Service Agency is funded at $1,205,068,000 in this bill. That is over $27 million above the current enacted amount, and it is $65.5 million above the President's request and $22.5 million above the Senate allocation. Certainly, farm conservation and regulation is very important, and that is the function of the Farm Service Agency. However, food safety and food inspection is paramount because of all the problems that the country is facing today on this count. According to this study by Robert Scharff that I have in my hand here from the Journal of Food Protection, dated 2012, the economic burden of health loss is due to foodborne illnesses in the United States. The cost of foodborne illnesses in the United States each year is $77.7 billion. That is $77.7 billion. Food safety and food losses and foodborne illnesses lead to 128,000 hospitalizations every year and, unfortunately, 3,000 deaths every year in the United States. Specifically, we have a total of 3,036 deaths caused by bacteria, by parasites, and by viruses. The shame of it, Mr. Chairman, the ultimate shame, is that food poisoning is 100 percent preventable. Every single instance of death, hospitalization could be avoided if we had a properly funded and fully funded food inspection system. That is the dilemma that faces us today. Each year, under this bill, the inspectors are required to inspect every animal before slaughter and each carcass after slaughter, in order to ensure that public health requirements are met. In one recent year, this included 50 billion pounds of livestock carcasses, 59 billion pounds of poultry carcasses, and 4.3 billion pounds of processed egg products. At U.S. borders, they also inspected 3.3 billion pounds of imported meat and poultry products. Increasingly, food safety is a global concern. Globalization of food production and trade increases the likelihood of international incidents involving contaminated food. Imported food products and ingredients are common in many countries, including our own. Stronger food safety systems in export countries can reinforce local and cross border health security, but, frankly, the ultimate responsibility is ours. Seventy-five percent of new infectious diseases affecting humans over the past 10 years were caused by bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that started in animals and in animal products. Many of these diseases are in people who are related to the handling of infected domestic and wild animals during food production, in food markets, and at slaughterhouses. Preventing disease starts at the farm, which is where the inspections take place. Preventing animal infections at the farm level can reduce foodborne illnesses. For example, reducing the amount of salmonella in farm chickens by 50 percent through better farm management and inspections results in 50 percent fewer incidences of people getting sick from the bacteria. Salmonella-free chicken herds are what this country needs. It is fundamentally irresponsible for this body to be cutting the Food Safety and Inspection Service budget. God help us all if there is some widespread outbreak in this country where we don't have 3,000 deaths a year, we don't have 30,000 deaths a year, but we have 300,000 deaths a year caused by poor food inspection standards. We must restore this money to the budget, and I ask my colleagues to support this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chairman, I would simply submit that we cannot expect more for less. If we are going to be reducing the budget for food inspection in this country, we will have less food inspections, we will have more disease, we will have more hospitalizations, and we will have more deaths. That is not something that I want on my conscience. God help us all if such a thing happens, but I want to know that I did everything I could to avoid that from happening. It is fundamentally silly and wrong to think that we can cut the budget and somehow expect people to do more for less. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GRAYSON

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) 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 rime 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 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.

Mr. GRAYSON

Mr. GRAYSON. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRAYSON. Madam Chair, this is simply a good government amendment that is reflected in a different form in the Senate Transportation- Housing bill. I am seeking to provide a similar provision in the House bill. This was offered in a different form yesterday. There were objections to it that were sustained. We have worked with the Parliamentarian to overcome those objections. This provision refers to none of the funds available in this act may be used for incentive payments pursuant to a particular regulatory provision to contractors for contracts that are behind schedule under the terms of another regulatory provision or over the contract amount as indicated in a standard form used in contracting. That is standard form 33, box 20, subject to modification in standard form 30, box 14--sorry, box 12. This will rein in contractors who are late and working over budget and prevent them from getting extra payments. We are simply speaking about extra payments here, payments they would not normally be receiving, except for the fact that they are asking for them and claim some entitlement to them. Too often, the government engages in waste, fraud, and abuse with contracting. This will help to rein that in. I respectfully ask for the support of my colleagues on this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAYSON

Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Leadership Osceola County as they celebrate their 25th anniversary. Whereas, the mission of Community Vision is to bring people and resources together to achieve the vision of Osceola County as a progressive community that provides the highest quality of life to residents and visitors; Whereas, Community Vision has worked very hard since its inception to succeed in its mission and to identify the role of individuals and organizations in achieving its vision; Whereas, Community Vision has focused on key issues through positive projects, programs, and collaborative activities in order to bring the public and leadership together to move together toward shared community goals and objectives; Whereas, Leadership Osceola County is an unsurpassed Community Vision leadership development program that began in 1989 and is now celebrating its 25th anniversary with more than 700 leaders graduating from the program after learning of community challenges first-hand and gaining the tools necessary to facilitate positive change within our community; and Whereas, today, Community Vision remains focused on a shared vision for a better and brighter Osceola County tomorrow by continuing to prepare, inspire, and support leadership for the good of the public; Whereas, the United States Representative of Florida's Ninth Congressional District is honoring, recognizing and congratulating Leadership Osceola County on its 25th Anniversary. Now, therefore, I, Alan Grayson, U.S. Representative for Florida's Ninth Congressional District, congratulate Leadership Osceola County on its 25th Anniversary and hereby proclaim the week of June 8, 2014 as Leadership Osceola County Week in the Ninth Congressional District of Florida. Recognizing the Contributions of Rose ``Roxy'' Marie Santiago Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Rose Marie Santiago. Originally from Old San Juan in Puerto Rico, Rose--or Roxy as she is known to her friends--has lived in Orlando for over 30 years. During this time she has been an active member of the Thornton Park community. She also recently started the popular dog sitting business, ``Sit Stay Walk By Roxy,'' in Orlando. From 2006 to 2009 Roxy was a Tri-Chair Federal Club Steering Committee member for Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Now she serves on the HRC's Social Media Steering Committee. When she is not campaigning and fundraising for social causes, Roxy repairs personal computers and is a keen practitioner of yoga. She also pours wine for Barefoot Wine's local events. Earlier in her career, Roxy was employed by such prestigious companies as Disney, where she worked for ten years. Roxy undertook many high-profile responsibilities through her position as a Guest Relations Manager at Disney, and she even acted as a personal tour guide for more than one U.S. President. Roxy was a partner with Phish Phest Entertainment for ten years. Throughout this time she was instrumental in the organization of a series of events which helped to raise over $150,000 for various charities; the beneficiaries of these funds include Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, the HRC, and Libby's Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation. Phish Phest Entertainment also participated in various other charitable events including the Orlando Aids Walk, Smart-Ride, Come out with Pride, Headdress Ball, GayDays, Scooters 4 Hooters, and Score for Kore. Roxy Santiago is extremely proud of what she has achieved both professionally and personally and continues to dedicate herself to these causes. I am happy to honor Rose ``Roxy'' Marie Santiago, during LGBT Pride Month, for her contributions to the Central Florida community. Recognizing the Contributions of Vicki Nantz Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Vicki Nantz. Vicki graduated from Florida State University and began a career in broadcast television. She has produced and directed hundreds of hours of programing through her work for corporate-owned media companies and on projects with renowned talent like Michael Jackson, Tiger Woods and Cheryl Ladd. Although her projects were often rewarding and exciting, Vicki found most to be of little personal significance. Whether it was a talk show, newscast or documentary, the subject matter never seemed to connect with her life. In 2007, when a young man named Ryan Skipper was murdered in Central Florida simply because he was gay, Vicki felt that it was no longer acceptable to remain silent. She and her partner, Mary Meeks, began to speak publicly about anti-gay hatred. They also began making documentaries about LGBT people in order to put real faces on the issues of hate crimes, adoption, immigration and marriage. Their first documentary was about Ryan Skipper, how he was marginalized and brutalized by his community, how he was failed by his local, state and national governments, and how our anti-gay culture was complicit in his death. The documentary helped generate attention which led to national media coverage when Ryan's killers were tried, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Acting as the Skipper family's spokesperson during the trial, Vicki was featured in numerous national television interviews which helped raise awareness about anti-gay hate crimes. After watching the documentary, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz referenced Ryan's murder on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2009 she invited Ryan's family to attend the White House signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Another of Vicki's documentaries highlighted Florida's anti-gay adoption ban set out in a 33- year-old law which was ruled unconstitutional in 2010. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) utilized the documentary statewide to educate Floridians about the discriminatory law. As a married couple, Vicki and Mary have continued to produce documentaries on social justice issues, each of which has screened at multiple film festivals and college campuses across the country. Their films have raised awareness about critical issues and helped inspire a new generation of activists. Vicki and Mary have continued to speak out in county chambers and legislative committee rooms, to advocate for long-overdue equality, and to try to change the culture of hatred so that LGBT people can live authentic lives without the fear of violence and intolerance. They do this on behalf of Ryan Skipper and his family. I am happy to honor Vicki Nantz, during LGBT Pride Month, for her inspiring work to raise awareness about LGBT issues in Central Florida and around the country. Remembering the Life of William Clay Harris, Jr. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding member of the Central Florida community, William Clay Harris, Jr., who passed away on June 2, 2014 at the age of 67. He went peacefully in his home in Gotha, Florida. Born in Hobart, Oklahoma on June 24, 1946, to the late William Clay Harris, Sr. and Alice Annabel Harris William or ``Bill'' was the oldest of their four children. He is survived by his three siblings, James Leonard Harris, Joseph Robert Harris, and Rebecca Ann Kellogg. Bill had many fond memories of his early childhood, including the adventures of his beloved family dog, Casey. He developed a love of music in high school where learned to play the trumpet which he continued to play in college. He graduated from Hobart High in 1964 and began his studies at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. After two years, he enlisted in the United States Army where he was stationed in South Korea as part of the Army Security Agency. He served honorably in the U.S. Army for four years, after which his love of Korean culture compelled him to remain in Korea as an English teacher. He embarked on a solo backpacking trip across the country during which he mastered the Korean language and befriended many locals. He was later recruited by the Country's Ministry of Communications to teach English to a group of Korean telephone operators in Seoul. While in Seoul, he met and fell in love with his future wife of 41 years, Sang Nan Harris, who survives him. Bill would often fondly recount the story of travelling to the city of Kimhe to meet Sang's father, the late Cho Bong Young. He was humbled by his future father-in-law's hospitality and genuine kindness during their introduction. Bill and Sang returned to Oklahoma where they were married at the First Baptist Church of Hobart on May 18, 1973. Bill continued his studies at Southwestern Oklahoma State University as part of the United States G.I. Bill. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's in Education, while Sang earned a degree from the same institution in Accounting. The newlyweds also started growing their family which includes one daughter and two sons who survive Bill: Julie Suzanne Wade, Matthew Clay Harris, and Kelly Cho Harris. Bill Harris began a long and successful career as a high school teacher, focusing on the subjects of Economics, History and English as a Second Language. Bill had a passion for education and helping poor and at-risk students, which led him to teach exclusively in underserved schools during his career. In 1983, the family moved from Oklahoma to Houston, Texas where Bill positively impacted the lives of countless students at Stephen F. Austin High School. His three children remember Bill as, above all, a devoted father. He never missed a Little League game, swim meet, band concert, Boy Scout camping trip or dance recital and provided unending encouragement and support for his children's endeavors. As a father, he also stressed the importance of education and was proud to see his children succeed to become two attorneys and a medical doctor. He always put his family first. Bill and his family moved from Houston to Orlando, Florida in 1995 in order to pursue a job opportunity for his wife, Sang, as she started her own accounting business. He taught at Evans High School, but later retired in 1998 in order to assist his wife in her growing business. He affectionately described his job title as a ``gopher'' for Sang, referring to the wide variety and high volume of tasks that the business demanded. Bill and Sang saw their three children start careers, get married and grow families of their own. Bill seamlessly transitioned from the role of father to grandfather and was blessed by the time he was able to spend with his six grandchildren. They include Harrison Campbell Wade, McKinley Annabel Wade, Emerson Olivia Wade, Thatcher Holden Wade, William Colton Harris, and Anderson Leigh Harris. He was very proud of his precious grandchildren and loved them all very much. William Clay Harris leaves behind a legacy of kindness, devotion, and faith. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, a kind and thoughtful friend, and, above all, a man of deep faith. He attended the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston and the Faith Family Community Church of the Nazarene and the First Baptist Church of Central Florida in Orlando. During the final years of his life, Bill became increasingly proud of his service to his country and further strengthened his belief in Jesus Christ and His transforming grace. I am saddened by the loss of such a valuable member of the Central Florida community and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.