Mónica De La Cruz

Ms. De La CRUZ

Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before you as a south Texan and an American to speak out against the human rights violations being committed in Turkiye. The Turkish Government, under the leadership of President Erdogan, has been suppressing the basic human rights of its citizens for far too long. As we gather here today, thousands of innocent individuals in Turkiye are being unjustly detained, tortured, and subjected to inhumane treatment. Turkish authorities have shown no regard for the basic rights and freedoms that we take for granted here in our country. We have heard reports of journalists being arrested and imprisoned simply for speaking out against the government. Teachers, academics, and activists have all faced similar fates. There are countless cases of people being detained and held without trial or evidence. This is not acceptable in any society, let alone one that claims to be a democracy. However, we are not here just to talk. We are here to demand action from President Biden and insist that he put the interests of the American people first and take time to listen to Turkish Americans, such as professional basketball player Enes Freedom, who has been a vocal advocate for human rights in Turkiye. Enes has been tirelessly fighting for the rights of the Turkish people, and he has even faced persecution for doing so. He was forced to give up his passport and feared for his life after being accused of being a terrorist for simply speaking out against the government. We cannot stand by and watch as innocent people are being subjected to such brutality. Our top priority as Members of Congress is to care for the American people. The Biden administration has an entire State Department that is supposed to advance our interests around the world. It is time for the Biden administration to do its job. We respect the sovereignty of other nations, but the human rights violations in Turkiye can no longer be ignored. We are all God's children. Let us continue to fight for a world where the human rights of all men, women, and children are respected, regardless of where they come from.

Ms. DE LA CRUZ

Ms. DE LA CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise in the people's House to honor Selena Quintanilla-Perez, an icon and trailblazer from south Texas whose music has transcended borders, cultures, and generations. Her unique blend of cumbia, Tejano, and pop has captivated audiences around the world and introduced my community's culture to millions of Americans over the last 30 years. Selena's seamless mix of Spanish and English lyrics, combining Mexican folklore and R&B, perfectly captured the richness of a beautiful culture that is shared by millions of us who are both fully American and proud of our Mexican heritage. Selena's music is essential to the soundtrack of our lives. That is why I am submitting, for nomination, her album, ``Amor Prohibido,'' to the Library of Congress for historical preservation in honor of her birthday, which was yesterday. May Selena's legacy be forever engraved in our hearts and our Nation's history.

Ms. De La CRUZ

Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a giant in agriculture in the 15th Congressional District of Texas. Benno Luensmann of Seguin, Texas, passed away earlier this year after a storied career in Texas ag. Benno was successful in so many different areas that it is hard just to pick one. He and his brothers built their cattle business in Guadalupe County, a company grown from what his son called a beat-up sell barn that became a thriving enterprise. In addition to his success in cattle, Benno served the community as the local fair president and on numerous local committees. In addition to his community service and cattle business, he was an educator, having taught at Seguin High School and Texas Lutheran University. He also served as a consultant to the USDA and spent time in Asia before returning home. Benno rightfully received recognition for his accomplishments and leaves behind a legacy in ag and the larger Seguin community. To his wife, Shirley, and his children, Bryan, Reagan, Yvonne, and Donna, thank you so much for sharing your husband and father with the community. He touched many generations of farmers and ranchers and his local community.

Ms. De La CRUZ

Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to honor our heroes of the Texas Revolution. On February 24, 1836, over 187 years ago, a group of Texians and Tejanos were surrounded by General Santa Anna in a little mission known around the world as the Alamo. It is my high honor to read Lieutenant Colonel William Travis' stirring words. ``Commandancy of the Alamo Bejar, February 24, 1836. To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World--Fellow Citizens and Compatriots: I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. ``The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion; otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism, and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to 3,000 or 4,000 in 4 or 5 days. ``If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country. ``Victory or death. William Barret Travis, Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. ``P.S. The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight, we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves. Travis.'' We know that the Texans lost this battle, but they did not lose the war. Cries of ``Remember the Alamo'' swept across the land, and from these ashes arose a nation, a land built on faith, family, and freedom. I stand here in Congress as a proud Tejana and encourage my fellow Texans to remember the fearless men and women who built this land, our land, known worldwide as Texas.

Ms. De La CRUZ

Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Andrea Linette Rodriguez, a third grade student from Sanchez Elementary School in McAllen, Texas. Andrea recently won the first place prize in the NABE's Being Bilingual Essay Competition. In her award-winning essay, Andrea wrote, ``Because I speak Spanish, I was able to say good-bye when my abuelito became a star.'' Andrea, I am sure your abuelito is very proud of you, as we all are. Like many children in south Texas, Andrea exemplifies a beautiful tradition that is deeply rooted in our Nation's history of patriotic Americans. In south Texas, we celebrate both our Hispanic culture and our being patriotic Americans. I encourage all youth to embrace both the English language and a second language. Knowledge is power. Felicidades, Andrea, on your achievement and showcasing the very best of south Texas.

Ms. De La CRUZ

Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to let the American people know their access to conservative programming on one of our Nation's largest satellite TV providers is at risk. DIRECTV, one of my district's largest satellite providers, has threatened to remove Newsmax from its lineup. Why, may I ask? Newsmax has simply asked to receive equal compensation for DIRECTV carrying its channel through carriage fees. Though Newsmax has higher ratings than many other more liberal stations offered on DIRECTV, the satellite provider owned by AT&T will not negotiate in good faith with Newsmax. Again, I said AT&T. The threat of conservatives losing an independent media outlet is real should DIRECTV not agree to a new carriage agreement with Newsmax. This appears to be another victory in the woke left's efforts to cancel conservatives and limit free speech. Mr. Speaker, I raise these concerns as a defender of the First Amendment with the hope that DIRECTV will do the right thing and keep Newsmax on its air.

Ms. De La CRUZ

Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to stand here and celebrate the induction of Chief of Police Dr. Jonathan Flores from Alton, Texas, to the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame. Chief Flores has been both progressive and innovative by growing his partnerships within the community and surrounding agencies. His hard work and perseverance clearly demonstrate his dedication to the community. This momentous occasion truly reflects his great impact both as a law enforcement officer and chief. On behalf of Texas' 15th Congressional District, I have the honor to thank Chief Jonathan Flores for his life of service to our community and to our country.

Ms. De La CRUZ

Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of American energy independence and the oil and natural gas workers of south Texas. This act is a crucial step to holding China accountable and repositioning the United States as a global energy leader. It is essential that we recover our energy independence and stand up for Texas' workers who have unfairly suffered as a result of this administration's misguided policies that have emboldened regimes like China and Venezuela's narco-dictatorship. The decision to prioritize a foreign energy over our own puts American workers, our industries, and our country at a disadvantage. Protecting American energy will strengthen both our economic and national security. I stand fully committed to fighting for all the natural gas and oil workers in south Texas and across our Nation.

Ms. DE LA CRUZ

Ms. DE LA CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share my priorities for south Texas. It is an honor to stand in the people's House. Being here as a single mother and the granddaughter of a Mexican farmworker shows that all things are possible in America through faith and hard work. That is why I am proud that my first vote is to protect small businesses in south Texas from IRS overreach, which disproportionately hurts low-income Americans and communities like mine. The last thing we need is 87,000 IRS agents harassing south Texans. Families are struggling. Single moms are struggling. Our Border Patrol lacks resources. After a century of one-party control in my district, we still have entire counties without doctors. I pledge to work in a bipartisan manner to address these challenges during my time here; to promote prosperity for all Americans, regardless of their race, gender, or creed; and to keep the American Dream alive for the next generation, so help me God.

Ms. DE LA CRUZ

Ms. DE LA CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here today as a single mother and a small business owner in support of the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. One of the most outrageous provisions in the Democrats' hyperpartisan Inflation Reduction Act was giving the IRS $72 billion to hire an additional 87,000 agents. Look, the hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents only squeezes American taxpayers, including small business owners like myself, the backbone of our communities. My colleagues on the other side, let me tell you this: I live and work and now represent a border district that houses a Border Patrol sector. They need feet on the ground. They have the same number of agents on the ground as compared to 3 years ago. Why aren't you fighting that hard for these agents? The Biden administration will tell you that they have increased agents, but they have only increased agents in the processing and administration, which ultimately has led to the mental health deterioration. The American people deserve a government that works for them, not against them.