HONORING PAUL M. CARROLL, JR.

HONORING PAUL M. CARROLL, JR.

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E173] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING PAUL M. CARROLL, JR. ______ HON. GREG STANTON of arizona in the house of representatives Thursday, February 27, 2025 Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of an impactful Arizona LGBTQI+ rights advocate and trailblazer, Paul M. Carroll, Jr., who we lost on February 18, 2025, at the age of 61, following a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Paul was born to U.S. Air Force Veteran, Paul M. Carroll, Sr., and Margaret Carroll, on April 27, 1963, in Malden, Massachusetts. He spent the early years of his life in Malden where his parents would teach him and his four siblings the values of kindness and service. Interested in STEM and computer science research, Paul completed a degree in Economics with a concentration in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1989. Early in his career, Paul took to heart the lessons taught by his parents-- embedding himself in his community and working tirelessly to protect the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals. Paul worked closely with the Pride Board in Boston, where he fought to make our country more inclusive and welcoming for everyone. Once Paul relocated to Arizona, his passion for service and his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to launch his finance and IT consulting firm in 2004. His firm, JR in Phoenix LLC, provided local business with IT support services, including financial analysis, planning, and accounting. And while Phoenix would remain his forever home, Paul always made time to travel the world with his husband and enjoy the company of his many friends and family. Much like Boston, Phoenix was blessed by Paul's dedication to building a more inclusive community. He quickly established himself as a civil rights leader in our community and as a passionate defender of every Arizonan's fundamental right to marry who they love. Paul's impact on Phoenix was felt most deeply during his various tenures on the Phoenix Pride Parade Board. Starting off as an operations volunteer in April 2004, he would later serve as Parade Director, Treasurer, Vice President, and Chair greatly expanding the parade and festival in Phoenix. He became Chair Emeritus in 2010, steering the organization wisely with his wealth of knowledge and financial expertise. Paul's commitment to Arizona's LGBTQI+ community extended well beyond the Phoenix Parade Board. He helped shape iconic events around the Valley in support of the LGBTQI+ community, like the annual Aunt Rita's Red Brunch Charity Fundraiser, which provides relief for those living with HIV and AIDS. Additionally, Paul was a Board Director for ViVRE and the Volunteer One Voice Community Center Anti-Violence Project, which provides services for people in need, including LBGTQI+-friendly medical services, shelter for homeless youth, and suicide prevention counseling. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Paul. Paul is survived by his beloved husband, Kevin Moore, his aunt, sisters, nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his kind, loving nature, and his lifelong investment to move our state toward true liberty and justice for all, will be felt for generations to come. In this spirit of gratitude and remembrance, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for all he has done for Arizona. I thank him and Godspeed. ____________________