[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.

                          ____________________