Chuy García

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the legendary journalist, Jorge Ramos, as he steps down after 40 remarkable years at Univision. Jorge has been a beacon of truth and integrity, a voice for the voiceless, and a relentless advocate for justice for the Latino community. In a world often dominated by sensationalism, he stood as a pillar of credibility, amplifying stories that might otherwise remain unheard. From covering the struggles of immigrants to challenging those in power, Jorge's work has illuminated issues that many in the media choose to ignore. His legacy is one of courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to truth. ``Thank you, Jorge, for being a voice dedicated to justice and for keeping our community informed.'' ``Gracias, Jorge, por ser una voz dedicada a la justicia y por mantener informada a nuestra comunidad.''

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate Morton College, the second oldest community college in Illinois, on its 100th anniversary. Located in Cicero, Illinois, since 1973, Morton College is the pride of the community. The campus has an award-winning library, a student success center, and facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology for the more than 3,500 students enrolled in it. As a Hispanic-serving institution, Morton has remained true to its mission of enhancing the quality of life of a diverse community through exemplary teaching and learning opportunities, community service, and lifelong learning. I am honored to have an exemplary institution in my district, and I congratulate the Morton College community. Here is to the next 100 years. Honoring Jorge Ramos

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on Disability Pride Month, I rise to celebrate Access Living -Cambiando Vidas, on their 15th anniversary serving Latinos with disabilities in Chicago. Cambiando Vidas provides a space for Latinos and immigrants with disabilities to build community, organize, and create equitable change through advocacy. Their commitment to change lives by ensuring respect and dignity of all is invaluable. Each step they have taken and each barrier they have overcome has paved the way for a more inclusive society. Congratulations to Cambiando Vidas on 15 years of remarkable accomplishments. Here's to many more years of making a difference and transforming lives. Congratulations. Felicidades.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the centennial anniversary of The Rose Town, the village of Berkeley, Illinois. From its origins as a town of German and Dutch farmers with a population just under 800 residents, Berkeley has become a residential town with transportation corridors that give easy access to the metropolitan region. Although nestled between two interstates and home to a major railroad and commuter train, Berkeley has managed to maintain a small-town atmosphere. One hundred years later, with a population of just over 5,000, Berkeley's streets are lined with residential homes, green spaces, and a bike path, reflecting a community that values its past while embracing progress and diversity. Here is to the next 100 years, Berkeley.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in celebration of Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community and to raise awareness on National HIV Testing Day. Queer, Latino, and Black communities have been disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and continue to make up the majority of newly diagnosed people compared to their White counterparts. For many, this disparity is compounded by obstacles like poor transportation access, language barriers, racial discrimination in healthcare, lack of family support, and the fears of deportation if they seek treatment, to name a few. Make no mistake, comprehensive and inclusive care is a matter of life and death for our communities. While we celebrate the resilience and beauty of the LGBTQ+ community, I am proud to join my Democratic colleagues in opposition to Republican attempts to gut funding for lifesaving HIV/AIDS programs and in solidarity with organizers fighting for a pro-equality agenda across America.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, during Immigrant Heritage Month, I want to honor my constituent, Chef Ambrocio Gonzalez. Chef Ambrocio and his family moved to Chicago over 20 years ago when he was 16 years old. At a young age, he found cooking was his passion and enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago. After graduating, he worked on gaining more experience in the food and beverage industry, but he had a dream. Chef Ambrocio wanted to open his own restaurant. He worked hard and, in 2011, opened La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant in my neighborhood of Little Village, which is so popular that there is always a long line of people waiting to get in. Fast forward to 2024, and Chef Ambrocio now owns four restaurants throughout Chicagoland and has been named one of Chicago's 40 under 40 by a local business magazine. Chef Ambrocio is the embodiment of what immigrants bring to this country: hard work, ambition, and ``desire,'' ``ganas.''

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of P.A.S.O.--West Suburban Action Project (Proyecto de Accion de los Suburbios del Oeste), a community-based social justice organization in Melrose Park whose mission is to build stronger communities where residents can live dignified lives regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic or immigration status. Since its founding in 2009, P.A.S.O. has become one of the leading immigrant rights organizations through grassroots organizing and coalition building working in collaboration with partners to create systemic, social change that leads to more equitable and just communities for people of all backgrounds. Over the past fifteen years, P.A.S.O. has been a pillar of our community and a beacon of hope for so many. From supporting immigrants and refugees training them to defend their rights, to providing health education to seniors and parents, to championing workers rights, and providing free educational opportunities in Spanish, P.A.S.O. supports communities in the quest for change. I am honored to commemorate P.A.S.O. on their 15th Anniversary. Congratulations (Felicidades!).

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of P.A.S.O.--West Suburban Action Project (Proyecto de Accion de los Suburbios del Oeste), a community-based social justice organization in Chicago whose mission is to build stronger communities where residents can live dignified lives regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic or immigration status. Since its founding in 2009, P.A.S.O. has become one of the leading immigrant rights organizations through grassroots organizing and coalition building working in collaboration with partners to create systemic, social change that leads to more equitable and just communities for people of all backgrounds. Over the past fifteen years, P.A.S.O. has been a pillar of our community and a beacon of hope for so many. From supporting immigrants and refugees training them to defend their rights, to providing health education to seniors and parents, to championing workers rights, and providing free educational opportunities in Spanish, P.A.S.O. supports communities in the quest for change. I am honored to commemorate P.A.S.O. on their 15th Anniversary. Congratulations (eFelicidades!).

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifelong Chicagoan, Ms. Stephanie ``Sally'' Tivador who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Sunday. Sally is the youngest of five daughters. She was born into a family of Polish descent just a couple of years before the Great Depression hit. And like so many children in that era, she worked full-time at a young age. She was only 14 years old when she started, and kept working for 24 years, until the birth of her first child in 1958. Sally later married Edward Tivador of Pilsen in 1948, a relationship that lasted for 66 years until his passing in 2014. They had two children, Cynthia and Edward, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Sally is a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. And it is my honor to wish her a Happy 100th Birthday.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor my friend Barry Romo, who passed away earlier this month. Barry was a decorated Vietnam veteran who, having seen the horrors of the U.S. role in Vietnam, became a leading organizer. He challenged the Pentagon and White House narratives about the conflict, and he organized actions on The National Mall, at the Supreme Court, and at Arlington National Cemetery to protest the war. Barry was the national coordinator for Vietnam Veterans Against the War for more than 40 years. In that role, he advocated for greater healthcare coverage for veterans affected by Agent Orange and other toxins. His activism later extended to other social justice causes, like affordable housing, veterans homelessness prevention, and workplace fairness. Barry was a longtime resident of the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago, where he was a mentor to other veterans, as well. Our community will miss Barry. Rest in peace.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nelson Cruz and La Voz Hispana, a music shop owned by the Cruz family, which has served the Chicagoland area for more than 60 years. ``Musica y Cultura'', the slogan for La Voz Hispana encompasses what it has represented for Chicago. You will find people in the neighborhood who remember buying their first guitar or first set of bongos there. Mothers took their kids to La Voz Hispana for music lessons, and the shop also helped promote new Latino artists as they passed through Chicago. It was my favorite Latin Jazz store to visit. I bought records, tapes, cd's, maracas, a guiro and a triangle there. This neighborhood spot will be missed by many. I wish Nelson an enjoyable retirement, which I'm sure will be full of music (Le deseo a Nelson que disfrute su retiro, que seguro estara lleno de musica).

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor a community activist and fighter for justice: Reverend Walter ``Slim'' Coleman. Reverend Slim was part of the Rainbow Coalition. He always worked to help the powerless build power, expand opportunity, and hold the government accountable to the people's needs. Moreover, he brought Caucasian allies to that fight alongside Latino and Black leaders. Slim helped elect Chicago's first Black mayor, Harold Washington. Slim was in it for the long haul. No setback and no loss deterred him from fighting for affordable housing, good schools, community safety, better healthcare, and more. Alongside his wife, Emma Lozano, the reverend was a leader of Chicago's sanctuary movement. In 2006, he declared his church as a sanctuary to protect immigrants from deportation, and other churches followed suit. Our city is indebted to Reverend Slim. We miss him immensely. Rest in peace, my dear friend.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate Fitzgerald's, a community staple in Berwyn, Illinois, where we can listen to all types of music and have a good time. The building at Roosevelt and Clarence has gone by many names and served many purposes since it became a place to gather more than 100 years ago. It was a hunting lodge and sporting headquarters. In the fifties and sixties, it was the Hunt Club, where jazz greats like Turk Murphy, Lil Armstrong, and Bob Scobey played. In 1980, under new ownership, the venue took the name Fitzgerald's, and the rest is history. Then, in 2020, new owners got creative with a stay-at-home concert series during the pandemic. They recently applied for Fitzgerald's to be added to the National Register of Historic Places, which I wholeheartedly support. Fitzgerald's slogan is ``Live Music, Good Drinks,'' and I raise a glass to this cornerstone in my community.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Mfume and my colleagues from Maryland for organizing this Special Order hour. I bring heartfelt condolences from Chicagoland. Next to me is a picture of the six men who died in this accident. They were doing construction work on the bridge as it collapsed. All six of them were immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala: Dorlian Cabrera, Miguel Luna, Maynor Sandoval, Alejandro Fuentes, Carlos Hernandez, and Jose Lopez. Like far too many immigrants, they encountered tragedy working in the country they came to seeking a better life. Immigrants keep our country moving. Immigrants power our economy, but immigrants are more than just their labor. Latinos are disproportionately in high-risk jobs like construction, and we cannot wait for tragic accidents or death to recognize immigrants' humanity. Therefore, as we rebuild the Key Bridge, we must also advocate for stronger workplace protections for all workers, including immigrants, regardless of their status. Rebuilding the Key Bridge is a national imperative. There is precedent for the Federal Government footing the bill in situations like this, and, as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will fight to make sure that this happens. After all, the Key Bridge has regional, national, and international significance. Mr. Speaker, my thoughts are with the families of those who perished working on the bridge. My thoughts are with the people of Baltimore and Maryland.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Joe Belman of Joliet, Illinois, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Making it to the century mark is an accomplishment, but it is not just about how many years you live, it is about how you live them, and Joe has packed a lot in since 1924. Early in life, Joe worked on a farm, on the railroad, and on a steamboat in the Mississippi River. In 1943, Joe enlisted in the Army and served as a B-17 turret gunner during World War II where he flew 35 combat missions. Joe became a decorated soldier and fought in a number of major battles in the European theater, including the Battle of the Bulge. Two years after returning from the war, he married his wife, Irene, and they were together for 59 years. Joe has continued to serve our communities as a labor leader, through his involvement in civic and veteran organizations, and as a youth sports coach. Joe's dedication to our communities has earned him many awards and honors, and he continues to inspire the younger generations. Happy birthday to Joe Belman.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, many things have changed in Chicago over the past 45 years. We are grateful that Tom Skilling has been there for all of that time to help us weather the storms and enjoy the good days, as well. Tom is ``Chicago's Very Own.'' He is our weatherman. Our city's pride in Tom is evident. He has had a sandwich named after him. He has his own bobblehead, his own beer, his own asteroid. Perhaps most fittingly, he has his own city snowplow named after him that was unveiled just a few days ago. Its name: Skilling It. These accolades are well deserved. Tom started his broadcasting career when he was just 14. For his entire career, Tom has embodied the professionalism, kindness, and knowledge we have been lucky to watch on TV every day. I say to Tom: Enjoy your retirement. Of all people, I am sure that you will be able to find warm beaches and beautiful sunsets.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cafe Jumping Bean, a Latino-owned coffee shop in my district, on their 30th anniversary. When then-26-year-old Eleazar Delgado was searching for a place for artists to meet in Pilsen, he realized that such a place was nonexistent on the southwest side of Chicago. So he took a chance and opened Pilsen's first coffee house, but not just any coffee shop; one featuring local artists and their local creations. From hosting cellist Yo-Yo Ma to local artwork displays, Cafe Jumping Bean has maintained its roots in a changing, diverse Pilsen and now has become a pillar in our community. Whether you go for the chocolate mexicano or their famous Screaming Bean, one thing is certain: You will enjoy a taste of culture in a cup. I wish a happy anniversary to Eleazar Delgado and Cafe Jumping Bean. Here is to the next 30 years of serving Pilsen and the larger community.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dona Adela Obregon who passed away on December 14. Adela was born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where she met her husband and started a family. Eventually they made their way north in search of a better life for their children. Like many Mexican immigrants in my district, Adela was undocumented for several years. After two of her sons served in the U.S. Army, she applied for residency, and years later she became a citizen. Whether it was fighting for better healthcare for seniors in our State capital, or as president of the Harrison Park Seniors Club where she organized folkloric dance groups, or legendary games of loteria and much more, Adela became a pillar of our community. Throughout her life, Adela won many awards. Indeed, the list is far too long to mention in 1 minute, but they confirm what many in our community already know. Adela was the definition of service and activism. We are grateful for her life, and my heart is with her family as they mourn her passing.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to Puerto Rico Act 22 and echo the concerns of many, including my constituents, about this tax loophole. Because of Act 22, Puerto Rico is the only place in the world where a mainland U.S. citizen can move and not pay a dime in Federal capital gains or income tax without renouncing their citizenship. Act 22 was sold as an economic boost in the shadow of a recession, but that is not what has happened. Millionaires and billionaires are flocking to the island to avoid paying taxes. A cottage industry of tax professionals and CPAs has emerged to support these tax evaders. Crypto magnates, real estate speculators, and internet influencers, like Logan Paul, are part of a new generation of gentrifiers driving up costs and displacing Puerto Ricans. I am pleased that the IRS is cracking down on related fraud. Thanks to my colleagues' efforts, Federal investigations on the impacts of these policies have begun. Act 22 is part of a larger story, and it should be repealed.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to this extreme anti-immigrant bill put forward by my colleague from New York. I represent Chicago, a city founded by an immigrant and a city that to this day welcomes immigrants. Although this year has tested us, Chicagoans have stepped up to embrace our new neighbors. As a proud immigrant representing a predominantly immigrant, diverse district, I take offense to the blatant attacks against my constituents. Outrage about public lands is just another excuse for Republicans to vilify immigrant communities. If they really cared, they wouldn't bulldoze through public lands and wildlife habitats while destroying our environment in their zeal for a border wall. They also wouldn't try to sell our public lands off to the highest corporate bidder. There are many ways to create a more just immigration system. This bill is certainly not one of them, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Libreria Giron, a family-run Spanish language bookstore in my district that will be closing its doors after 50 years. At a time when Spanish language books were hard to find in Chicago, Ada Alicia Giron, a former elementary school teacher from Guatemala, and her husband, Julio Giron, opened an electronic shop in 1957. An educator at heart, Alicia Giron placed a stack of Spanish language books in the shop next to televisions and radios, and to her surprise became the shop's main selling point. Libreria Giron went on to become a beacon of knowledge to immigrant communities and at its peak expanded to 10 locations in Chicago. As Libreria Giron prepares to close its doors for good, I would like to thank the Giron family for their service to the Little Village and Pilsen communities and for fostering a love of books spanning generations.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, as we approach Veterans Day, I rise to honor the memory of Philip Ayala, Sr., who passed away just over a year ago. Phil, as his family and friends called him, was a beloved neighbor in Berwyn, Illinois. When he was just 17 years old, Phil enlisted in the U.S. Army and honorably served our country in Vietnam. Phil kept our community safe as a Cook County deputy sheriff and fought to make the police force more diverse through his work with Congressman Ralph Metcalfe and the Concerned Citizens for Police Reform. Phil cofounded El Centro de la Causa, an agency that worked with Mexican-American youth and the Spanish-speaking population in the 1970s. In his three decades at El Centro, Phil provided support and built the infrastructure that led to the founding of so many other organizations in the community. For Phil, the ultimate goal was to give back to the community. Whether it was meeting with President Carter at the White House alongside Latino leaders or serving as a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights or through his work in our neighborhoods, Phil fulfilled the goal with every fiber in his being. Madam Speaker, I thank Phil for his service. May he rest in peace.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I understand that we are living in uncertain times. We are witnessing an unjustifiable war of aggression in Ukraine and a global democratic backslide. Congress can respond to national security needs as they arise. We don't have to spend billions of dollars on what-ifs. These risks are already built into the Pentagon's budget request. If military leaders want more funding for their wish lists, there is nothing in this amendment that will prevent the DOD from supplying an unfunded priorities list to Congress, but this process should be optional just as it was 7 years ago. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today I want to honor Sergio and Mary Suarez, residents from my district and small business owners as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their restaurant, Taqueria Los Comales. Twenty-five years ago Sergio and Mary decided to open a taqueria in Melrose Park, Illinois. They were determined to make it the best of the best. With dedication and creativity, they put together a menu that combines authentic Mexican recipes with American community traditions, all surrounded with hospitality and family love. Since he was a child, Sergio has had to work to help support his family. At the age of 6, he was shining shoes to make some money. He never thought he would become the restaurant owner and business leader he is now. He immigrated to the United States from the Mexican state of Jalisco as a teenager and has built his American Dream one small business at a time. Sergio's business instincts and work ethic have been key to his success. He chose Melrose Park as the location for his first restaurant at a time when it was growing in diversity and the residents needed a friendly neighborhood restaurant with the Mexican food that reminded them of their mom's and abuela's recipes. That's what Los Comales is for many of us. Sergio has used his experience with business success to support and mentor other aspiring business owners, especially those that came from Mexico and are now living in the United States. In turn, he, is helping the community increase their markets, assisting immigrants, and creating more businesses and jobs. Immigrant-family owned restaurants like Los Comales are pillars of our community and engines of our local economy. I wish Sergio and Mary Suarez, their whole family and Taqueria Los Comales, many more years of success.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the village North Riverside, Illinois. This area now known as North Riverside sits on Potawatomi land that was purchased by a real estate and fur trading company in 1835. By 1900, onion farmers had begun to move to the area, and the village grew from there. The bright neon lights and blaring brass sounds of the legendary Melody Mill ballroom that were a mainstay of the big band era attracted people from all over who were looking for a lindy-hopping night of jazz and swing music. North Riverside continues to be a thriving place with a vibrant theater scene, sports, scouting, and even a quilting club. Every street has a block captain who helps neighbors and seniors with errands and much more. Here is to the next 100 years, North Riverside.