Adelita Grijalva

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Jackson and the Congressional Progressive Caucus for bringing attention to this important issue during this Special Order hour. We are all here to call out the quiet, calculated campaign sweeping across our Federal agencies. Under the banner of defeating wokeness, the Trump administration is dismantling the structures that protect civil rights, equal opportunity, and equal protection under the law. This is not a theoretical debate over acronyms. It is about the resources, protections, and dignity of everyday families. In southern Arizona--from Tucson to Nogales, Yuma, Avondale, Tolleson, Douglas, and our border and travel communities--the impact is deeply personal. Let us take a look at what is being dismantled. They are stripping economic lifelines from rural communities. The Department of Agriculture canceled a $300 million program to help minority and marginalized farmers buy land. For Arizona's small-scale, Tribal, and Latino farmers, this isn't about ending favoritism. It is about crushing the dream of land ownership. They are silencing families by cutting language access. In Arizona's Seventh Congressional District, bilingualism and multilingualism are our strengths. When language access is rolled back, grandmothers struggle to understand their doctors, and parents struggle to access basic Federal services. They are compromising our local healthcare security. In border and rural communities where healthcare deserts are a reality, rolling back health equity initiatives means leaving mothers, children, and our most vulnerable neighbors behind. They are blinding our civil rights watchdogs. After 60 years of progress, our Federal civil rights agency is moving to end demographic data collection. For six decades, that data has helped us identify where discrimination exists. We cannot address what we refuse to see. They are politicizing our military and threatening free media. They are replacing merit with ideological litmus tests in Pete Hegseth's military. They are weaponizing independent watchdogs, with the FCC ordering a review of ABC's broadcast licenses over its diversity and inclusion policies. Mr. Speaker, these attacks are not isolated. They are interconnected. When this administration rolls back protections for people with disabilities, strips LGBTQ+ protections, or targets women's medical research, it is not simply streamlining government. It is unravelling the public infrastructure of our democracy, because diversity, equity, and inclusion are not buzz words. They are guarantees. They guarantee that a child with a learning disability in Tucson gets a fair and just education. They ensure that a small business owner in Yuma gets an honest shot at a Federal contract, and they uphold a basic promise: every American deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. We in southern Arizona know how to stand our ground. We will not sit in silence while 60 years of civil rights progress are erased by an executive decree. I urge my colleagues and the American people to see this campaign for what it is: a systemic dismantling of our civil rights. We must stand united. We must organize, and we must fight to defend equal opportunity for every community in this Nation.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Today, we honor the lives of Cameron Davis Capara and Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, who were taken from us far too soon in an act of gun violence and hate at the Venture-N in Tucson, Arizona, a cherished place for queer people across the city. This type of targeted violence does not happen in a vacuum. It is cultivated by anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, laws, policies, and executive orders. And it is a direct consequence of this body's failure to act on gun violence. Cameron and Vincent should still be alive today. Mr. Speaker, how many more parents need to bury their children before Congress takes action to address the gun violence epidemic? How many more people need to die before this Chamber stands up to the gun lobby? Our communities are sick and tired of hearing our thoughts and prayers. We should be acting today to pass commonsense gun safety laws and to combat hate and violence targeting our LGBTQ folks. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join members of the Arizona delegation and the Congressional Equality Caucus in a moment of silence to honor their lives and commit this Chamber to action.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, my amendment does not slow progress. It strengthens it. By ensuring Tribal nations and impacted communities have a real seat at the table, we produce more informed and more mindful policy outcomes. Respecting Tribal sovereignty and listening to affected communities is not optional. It is a fundamental obligation. For those reasons, Mr. Speaker, I oppose H.R. 1501, and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition of H.R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act. At a time when we should be strengthening environmental protections, respecting Tribal sovereignty, and ensuring communities have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their land and water, this bill moves us in the wrong direction. I offered an amendment that would have required robust, meaningful, and enforceable consultation with potentially impacted Tribal nations before a mining project may be eligible for expedited permitting under FAST-41. Unfortunately, the Rules Committee refused to make my amendment in order, denying this body the opportunity to even debate or vote on a very basic principle: Tribal nations deserve a meaningful seat at the table when mining projects threaten their lands, resources, and communities. My amendment would have ensured that Federal agencies uphold the United States' trust and treaty obligations by engaging in intentional and substantive consultation with Tribal Governments. It would have made clear that consultation is not a procedural checkbox but a meaningful government-to-government dialogue. It would have also ensured that no mining project could receive expedited permitting treatment unless the affected Tribal nations had been engaged from the earliest possible stages of the project's development. This issue has become increasingly relevant in my district with the Hermosa Project in the Patagonia Mountains, southeast of Tucson, Arizona. Its designation as the first critical minerals project under FAST-41 highlights the growing use of expedited permitting frameworks. While FAST-41 is intended to improve efficiency, mining is among the most environmentally consequential sectors it covers. Expedited timelines must not come at the expense of meaningful public participation or environmental assessment. We have already seen the consequences of insufficient engagement and analysis. The town of Patagonia formally requested a comprehensive groundwater study of the Patagonia mountains from the Coronado National Forest in both 2020 and 2021, specifically citing concerns related to the proposed Hermosa project. Despite these repeated requests, and the support of my dad, Congressman Raul M. Grijalva, the study was never completed. For that exact reason, I sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service in April to follow up on this same request. This gap leaves significant uncertainty about potential impacts to groundwater and undermines public confidence in the adequacy of the review process. I also think it is noteworthy that I kept hearing: American project, American project. This specific project is run by an Australian mining company. When I met with local leaders and community members in Patagonia, they raised serious concerns about their drinking water, their health, and the long-term sustainability of their aquifers. Those concerns are not abstract. They reflect lived experience and legitimate questions that deserve answers before, not after, decisions are made. What these experiences make clear is that the communities closest to these projects cannot be left to react once decisions are already in motion. They must be engaged from the very beginning, with their voices meaningfully incorporated into decisionmaking.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Barbara Matteson of Tucson, Arizona. I can't think of a major education event, rally, or protest in Tucson where I didn't see Barbara front and center. A lifelong educator, the first in her family to go to college, Barbara spent over 38 years as a classroom teacher in the Tucson Unified School Direct. As mentioned in her obituary, her ability to make learning fun and meaningful left a lasting impact. Being out and about in Tucson with Barbara inevitably meant being stopped by a former student who would share their stories of how she influenced their lives. As a union organizer and fierce advocate for public education, Barbara dedicated herself to fighting for our students, our teachers, and our schools. She showed up, She spoke up, and she never stopped standing up for what she believed was right. Barbara was not only a champion for education, she was a friend and someone who made our community stronger through her service and her commitment. To Barbara, I thank her for always fighting for our students, teachers, and schools. To Barbara's family, I thank them for sharing her with us. Mr. Speaker, may my friend rest in peace. I will always remember her.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. I thank Representative Torres and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for hosting this Special Order hour. In Arizona, we have seen firsthand why congressional oversight of our immigration detention systems matter. We have also been witness to inhumane conditions and violent attacks by ICE when trying to detain people on our streets and rip people from their cars or their homes. Earlier this year, Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian asylum seeker, died after being held in ICE custody at the Florence detention facility in Arizona. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner found that Mr. Damas' death stemmed from a severe infection connected to a serious dental disease. A toothache should never become a death sentence, not in Federal custody, not in Arizona, not anywhere in the United States, especially when someone is in the custody of the United States Government and completely dependent on that government for access to medical care. Mr. Damas' death raises serious concerns that remain unanswered. Why did he not have timely medical treatment? Why were his requests for care ignored? How did a treatable condition progress into a fatal medical emergency while he was in Federal custody? In March, my colleagues and I formally requested Mr. Damas' medical records and information about his request for treatment and a full accounting of the circumstances leading to his death. ICE responded in May, but once again failed to provide any real answers. ICE's response said doctors believed Mr. Damas was suffering from septic shock caused by pneumonia; but the medical examiner found his death stemmed from severe infection connected to a serious dental infection. When the Federal Government detains someone, it assumes responsibility for that person's health, safety, and well-being. Congress has a responsibility to make sure our government is meeting that obligation. Unfortunately, what happened to Mr. Damas is not isolated. There have been 56 people who have died in ICE detention since Trump took office last year. In Arizona and across the country, we continue to see reports of delayed medical treatment, inadequate care, deaths in custody, due process failures, and serious questions about conditions inside ICE and CBP facilities. Families deserve answers. Congress deserves the information necessary to conduct meaningful oversight. When failures occur, there must be accountability. Mr. Damas came to this country seeking asylum. While in Federal custody, he deserved humane treatment and appropriate medical care. His family deserves answers. We need to continue demanding that DHS and ICE provide records and information necessary to fully understand what happened in Florence to Mr. Damas and what they are doing to make sure it never happens again. We demand accountability. We demand justice for the individuals who have died and answers for the families and communities mourning their loss. Every day that passes, more people will die, more people will forever be scarred from their time in detention, and more families will be ripped apart. Remembrance is important, but remembrance without accountability is not enough.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a figurehead in Tucson and southern Arizona and a true Renaissance man, Joel Ireland. Joel lived a consequential life, and Tucson is better off because he lived it there. He dedicated much of his life to public service, especially to the students, families, and educators of Tucson Unified School District. He served on the TUSD Governing Board for two decades, including as board president, and he was a tireless advocate for public education. Joel's service went far beyond the school board. He was an attorney, an Episcopal priest, an advocate for historic and cultural preservation, and someone who believed deeply in standing up for people who needed a voice. He and his church even opened their doors to refugees from Central America during the 1980s. I am proud that Joel and I shared the distinction of being the longest serving TUSD board members, a record that we both agreed would be pretty hard to break. What I will remember most about Joel is the friend. He could always make me smile, gave great advice, and was always supportive. The last time we saw each other, we talked for hours, catching up on family, politics, and, of course, a little bit of gossip. Mr. Speaker, to his amazing sons and his entire family, I send all my love. May Joel rest in power. I thank him for his life of service, friendship, and community. I am really going to miss him.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the victims of a shooting that occurred outside of the Venture-N bar in Tucson, Arizona, last night--Vincent Siqueiros and Cameron Capara--and to demand that this Chamber take immediate action to ensure that this can never happen again. I am disgusted by the targeted act of hate and the cold-blooded murder of two members of our LGBTQIA+ community. This horrific attack is a painful reminder that even in welcoming communities like Tucson, hate and violence against our LGBTQIA+ community still exists. When the hate is combined with easy access to firearms, the consequences can be deadly. I am sick and tired of Congress refusing to lift a finger to protect our communities while every day dozens of people are shot and killed across this country. It does not have to be this way. The House of Representatives is returning to session this week, and our first action should be passing commonsense gun safety reforms that we know can save lives. In Tucson, we must come together as one city, mourn alongside victims and families and friends, and stand with our LGBTQIA+ community, saying in the most unconditional terms: Everyone is welcome in Tucson, and hate has no place here.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a remarkable Arizonan and celebrate the 100th birthday of Mr. Conrado ``Beto'' Villegas. Reaching a century of life is an extraordinary milestone, and I was honored to join Mr. Villegas' family, friends, and neighbors in Nogales to celebrate this special occasion, highlighted by him taking over the dance floor with his wife at his birthday party. Mr. Villegas is a proud World War II veteran whose courage and selfless service continue to inspire all of us. Like so many of his generation, he answered our Nation's call in a time of great need, helping defend the freedoms we cherish today. His service and his life remind us of the enduring values of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment to country and community. I extend ``mil gracias''; ``1,000 thanks'' to Beto for his service, his example, and the extraordinary legacy he has built over the past 100 years. On behalf of the people of Arizona's Seventh Congressional District, I extend my heartfelt thanks and wish him a very happy 100th birthday. ``Feliz cumpleanos. Que Dios lo bendiga''; ``Happy birthday. May God bless you.''

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Patricia ``Patti'' Lopez, a dedicated educator, mentor, and advocate whose life's work transformed the lives of countless children and families in southern Arizona. For more than three decades, Dr. Lopez served Tucson's students as a teacher, principal, district leader, deputy superintendent, and chief academic officer for Tucson Unified School District. As a former TUSD governing board member, I primarily remember Dr. Lopez for her bright spirit, dedication, compassion, instincts, and smarts. After her distinguished career in education, she continued her mission as executive director of Angel Heart Pajama Project, helping provide more than 73,000 children experiencing crises with new pajamas, books, and the comfort of knowing that they were seen, valued, and loved. Dr. Lopez believed that even the simplest acts of kindness could change a child's life. Her compassion, integrity, and unwavering commitment inspired volunteers, strengthened communities, and brought hope to thousands of children when they needed it most. May we honor Dr. Patti Lopez by carrying forward her example of service and her belief that every child deserves comfort, dignity, and hope. ``Muchisimas gracias''; ``many thanks'', Patti. ``Para todos, descansa en paz''; ``for all, rest in peace.''

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to recognize a remarkable milestone for Tucson's Academia de Baile Tradicion y Cultura as it celebrates 25 years of inspiring young people--including my own children, nieces, and nephews--from across Tucson and southern Arizona through dance, culture, and community. For a quarter of a century, Academia de Baile has provided generations of students with exceptional dance instruction, fostered confidence, discipline, and a deep appreciation for the rich cultural traditions that make southern Arizona so vibrant. I want to congratulate the dedicated directors and instructors whose passion and dedication have made this achievement possible, the students whose hard work, talent, and artistry continue to impress us, and the families whose unwavering support have helped make this academy flourish for so many years. Academia de Baile is proof of how the arts bring people together, preserve our heritage, and strengthen our communities. Their legacy is reflected not only in the performances on stage but in the lives that they have touched across Tucson and southern Arizona. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's Seventh Congressional District, I say ``congratulations,'' ``muchisimas felicidades'' to Academia de Baile on their 25th anniversary and wish them many more years of success.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary young woman from Yuma, Arizona, Kofa High School senior Sabrina Anaya. Sabrina distinguished herself both in the classroom and on the field, earning the title of Kofa High School valedictorian while being named Yuma's Female Athlete of the Year. A remarkable three-sport athlete, Sabrina excelled in cross-country, soccer, and track and field. She was named the Yuma Sun Girls Cross- Country Runner of the Year, earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in soccer, and dominated distance events in track, winning the 800- meter, 1600-meter, and 3200-meter races. However, what makes Sabrina's accomplishments so impressive is not just her athletic talent or academic excellence. It is her dedication, discipline, and determination to succeed in every area. She has shown what is possible through hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence. Sabrina represents the very best of Yuma and Arizona. I congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition and wish her continued success at Arizona State University and in her studies in electrical engineering. To Sabrina, I say: ``Congratulations''; ``felicidades.''

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Congressman Takano, for hosting this Pride Month Special Order hour. For generations, LGBTQ+ people have been at the forefront of a fight for a more just inclusive future. This month, we honor the resilience, courage, and determination of a community that has never stopped organizing, speaking out, and demanding equality. As a proud ally and a mom, I know that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is connected to so many of the challenges we face today: from reproductive freedom, to healthcare access, to housing, education, and the right to live openly and authentically. Pride reminds us that progress doesn't come from the top down. It isn't handed to us by billionaires or corporations. It is one when ordinary people come together, build coalitions together, and refuse to accept injustice. That work is not over. Just this morning, on the last day of pride, the Supreme Court ruled to allow States to ban trans kids from playing in school sports. Really? I think they are worried about the wrong 0.1 percent in this country. To the queer youth and trans kids and their families across the Nation, I know these are scary times, but you are not alone. As Republicans continue to scapegoat queer people, especially transgender youth and their families, we must meet this moment with courage. We have got to organize, speak truth to power, and keep building a movement rooted in justice and equity. Let us never forget that pride is a protest, but it is also our power, and together we will keep fighting for a future where everyone can live with dignity and freedom. Happy pride.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressional Progressive Caucus vice chair, Congresswoman Ramirez, for hosting this Special Order hour. I rise today during Immigrant Heritage Month to honor our hardworking immigrant communities and call out the cruel and dangerous actions of the Trump administration. While communities across America are honoring generations of immigrants who built our Nation, Trump and his administration are choosing fear, cruelty, and division. This administration is carrying out a mass deportation agenda that is tearing through our communities, our barrios, and our families to target people who have lived in this country for decades, who own businesses, and who are students, leaders, teachers, and nurses in our community. This administration wants to erase the contributions of immigrants while benefiting from their hard work, innovation, and sacrifices. Let me remind them: Immigrants are not outsiders. They are the reason America looks the way it does. I want to highlight Karla Toledo. She was brought to this country at 1 year old. She was violently pulled from her home and put in detention, inhumanely detained for 4 days. She was released on the lowest bond possible, and her charges were dropped. The day before yesterday, ICE and DHS embarrassed by the spotlight and the black eye, are bringing new charges against her for deportation. We are sick as a community of being scapegoated. We are sick as a people of being scapegoated. I am the granddaughter of a bracero, a guest worker, a hardworking Mexican immigrant who came to this country seeking opportunity. I am the daughter of a Member of Congress, who spent his life fighting for immigrants and working families. The Trump administration can attack immigrants, but they cannot erase their stories. They cannot erase our stories. They cannot erase our contributions, and they cannot erase the truth. Immigrants built this country. (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:) ``Immigrants are part of our history, past, present, and future.'' ``Los inmigrantes son parte de nuestra historia, nuestro presente y nuestro futuro.'' No amount of fear or cruelty will change that.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Juneteenth festivities happening in southern Arizona and throughout the country. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863. However, it took until June 19, 1865, 2\1/2\ years later, for all enslaved people to be informed of this order. As a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, I was proud to champion the board's first-ever funding of the Tucson Juneteenth Committee and support making Juneteenth a paid, administrative holiday for Pima County employees. As we mark the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth, we also recognize and celebrate the Tucson Juneteenth Committee, which has been bringing our community together in commemoration and celebration since 1970 thanks to the leadership of Larry Starks. I am honored to join our community and the Tucson Juneteenth Committee in celebrating this important occasion. Their decades of dedication have helped preserve the history, culture, and significance of Juneteenth for generations to come. Mr. Speaker, I invite all of southern Arizona, for the last of a month full of events, to join us Saturday, June 20, at the Kino Sports Complex for an evening of freedom, culture, education, and community as we honor this important milestone for our Nation's history and recommit ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice for all. Happy Juneteenth.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Julie Gallego, a devoted wife and mother, a gifted educator, and a beloved member of the Tucson and southern Arizona community. Julie passed away yesterday, on June 8, following a courageous, yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. While her loss is deeply felt by her family and loved ones, it is also felt across Tucson and beyond by the generations of young people whose lives she touched. Julie served as a director of Viva Performing Arts Studio on Tucson's south side. She created a place where hundreds of children learned folklorico and mariachi, connected with their culture, developed confidence in themselves, and found a sense of belonging. Through her leadership, Viva became a cornerstone of the community and a second home for so many families. Those who had the privilege of knowing Julie will remember her warmth, compassion, and ability to make everyone feel welcomed, valued, and loved. Julie's legacy lives on in the students she mentored, the people she inspired, and the vibrant cultural traditions she worked hard to preserve and pass on to the next generation. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and everyone mourning this tremendous loss. May her memory be a blessing. Julie's legacy will live on. ``Rest in peace''; ``que en paz descanse.''

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Martin Lugo, a 24-year-old veteran from Tucson, Arizona, who was killed after being wounded during a combat operation in Afghanistan. Sergeant Lugo enlisted in the United States Army while still a student at Tucson High School. At the time of his death, he was serving on his sixth deployment, having previously completed three tours in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. He served our Nation with extraordinary courage, dedication, and a deep sense of duty. But Martin was far more than his uniform. He was a son, a friend, and someone deeply loved by his family, friends, and fellow soldiers. Those who knew him remember his generosity, humor, intelligence, adventurous spirit, and his remarkable ability to bring people together. He embraced life fully and led with both strength and compassion. I also thank Maria, his mother, for allowing me to share Martin's story today. As we remember Sergeant Martin Lugo, we honor his life, his service, and the sacrifice carried every day by the families of those who serve. In Maria's words: ``The way we can honor their service is by doing the best we can for ourselves, for each other, and for our country.''

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Jackson for his steadfast leadership in this fight to protect our democracy, and I thank the CPC for bringing us together for this Special Order hour. Mr. Speaker, we often talk about the right to vote as if it is just another issue before Congress. It is not just another issue. It is foundational. The right to vote is how people make their voices heard. It is how communities hold their government accountable. It is the foundation upon which every other right rests. This is why the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais is so alarming. For generations, we have marched, organized, and sacrificed to secure protections enshrined in the Voting Rights Act. Those protections helped ensure that communities of color could fully participate in our democracy and elect Representatives who would fight for their interests. Today, those hard-won protections are being chipped away piece by piece. We are already seeing the consequences across the South. Politicians are rushing to redraw maps and dilute the political power of communities of color. Instead of expanding participation in our democracy, they are looking for new ways to silence voters, undermine fair representation, and make it more difficult for people to get involved in our democracy. As an Arizonan, this fight feels especially personal. The Voting Rights Act is not some abstract law to the people I represent. Southern Arizona is home to communities whose political representation has been protected by the Voting Rights Act for generations. Those protections helped ensure that Latino voters and other communities of color had meaningful opportunity to elect leaders who understood their experiences and would fight for them. The truth is, without the Voting Rights Act, Arizona's political landscape would look very different. The Voting Rights Act helped make it possible for leaders like my dad, Congressman Raul Grijalva, to serve southern Arizona. It helped make it possible for me to stand here today as the first Latina ever elected from the State of Arizona to Congress. That representation did not happen by accident. It happened because generations fought to ensure that every community, regardless of race, language, or ZIP Code, could have an equal voice in our democracy. That is why what is happening today is so dangerous. When courts weaken the Voting Rights Act and politicians engage in racial gerrymandering, they are not just changing lines on a map. They are weakening the voices of entire communities, undermining the promise of equal representation, and silencing people, period. Congress must act. We must restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. We must defend fair representation. We must strengthen our democracy so that every community has equal voice and equal opportunity to be heard.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2616. At a time when people are asking Congress to lower costs, crack down on corruption and powerful abusers, and keep children safe, House Republicans remain fixated on bullying vulnerable kids instead of addressing the real problems facing this country. This bill forces teachers to out transgender students to their own parents even when they know it could put that child at risk of abuse, homelessness, or violence. Think about that. Republicans want to force teachers to betray the trust of children who likely already feel scared, isolated, and unsafe at home. That is dangerous. Most young people confide in their families when they feel safe doing so, but some queer kids don't have that option. These same Republicans who consistently talk about small government cut funding to a local library in Bisbee a couple weeks ago just because it hosted a drag story time. Now, they want to control what teachers can say, what students can read, and even a name a child can use at school. Where will it end? This bill censors discussions about transgender people and gender identity altogether. It sends a message that trans people should be erased from classrooms, from history, and from public life. Transgender people exist. They are our neighbors, our students, our classmates, our coworkers, our friends, and our children. No bill passed in this Chamber will ever change that. What this legislation will do is make schools less safe for already vulnerable students. I hate to break it to my Republican colleagues, but attacking trans kids will not make groceries or gas cheaper. It will not lower rent. It will not bring down healthcare costs. It will not make anyone's life better. It will not make this Nation safer, and it certainly won't make our kids safer in school.

Mrs. GRIJALVA. It is time to stop scapegoating children, stop targeting our kids, stop obsessing about gender identity, and let's start doing the jobs that people actually sent us here to do. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record this letter from the ACLU opposing H.R. 2616.

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2616.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today with great pride to celebrate the incredible students of Apache Jazz Ensemble from Nogales High School in Arizona's Seventh Congressional District. Earlier this spring, I had the joy of attending the Mingus Jazz Festival in Nogales and listening to the ensemble's performance. Their talent, energy, and love for music were absolutely unforgettable. I was so grateful for the opportunity to meet the students and hear their stories firsthand. Since then, these remarkable young musicians traveled to Orlando, Florida, to compete at Festival Disney, where they earned a superior rating with an outstanding score of 97.7, taking first place in their division and winning the prestigious Gold Mickey award, the highest honor awarded across all instrumental divisions. These students represented Nogales and southern Arizona with excellence, discipline, and heart. Their achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication of their director, Anthony Belletti, and the power of music education to inspire and uplift our communities. Madam Speaker, to Apache Jazz Ensemble, Nogales High School, and all of your friends, fans, and families: ``Congratulations''; ``muchisimas felicidades.'' Thank you for making Arizona proud.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the anniversary of the sacrifice of fallen officer John Anthony Valenzuela of the South Tucson Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty on May 17, 1993. Officer Valenzuela was just 27 years old. He served as a school resource officer, dedicating himself to protecting children and strengthening the trust within the south Tucson community, a community in which he was raised, attended school, lived, and had strong ties. On the day of his death, he acted on behalf of a young victim and courageously joined fellow officers in serving a warrant connected to a child sex abuse investigation. In the face of danger, Officer Valenzuela gave his life in service to others. He is the only officer killed in the line of duty in the history of the South Tucson Police Department. More than three decades later, his legacy lives on in southern Arizona through the John Valenzuela Youth Center named in his honor, his family and friends, and through the countless lives he touched by his service and sacrifice. We remember Officer John Valenzuela with gratitude, respect, and solemn remembrance. May he forever rest in peace.

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School for making history once again with their 12th consecutive first-place win at the 44th Annual Tucson International Mariachi Conference student showcase, the longest running continually held mariachi festival in the world. For 12 straight years, these talented young musicians have carried the spirit of Pueblo Warriors and Tucson onto the stage with excellence, talent, and pride. Under the outstanding leadership of Director John Contreras, Mariachi Aztlan continues to set the standard for high school mariachi programs across our Nation. This moment is especially meaningful to me as a proud Pueblo alumna and mom of a recent grad of this amazing mariachi. Driving these students and their instruments all across Tucson as a mariachi mama, I witnessed firsthand the dedication and ``heart,'' ``corazon'' that make this group so extraordinary. To the students, families, fans, and Director Contreras of Mariachi Aztlan, your community could not be prouder of you. (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:) ``I am so proud of all of you and send my congratulations on this historic victory.'' ``Estoy muy orgullosa de todos ustedes, y muchas felicidades por esta victoria historica.''

Mrs. GRIJALVA

Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Garcia for his leadership and for giving us the opportunity to weigh in on this budget. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on this administration's budget request, a proposal that makes one thing painfully clear: Trump's budget isn't America First; it is America last. While working families struggle to get by, this budget spends $350 billion on another endless and illegal war abroad. To fund this, his budget cuts the very programs people rely on here at home. In Arizona, we are already seeing the devastating consequences of cuts from the big, ugly law. More than 400,000 Arizonans, including 180,000 children, have lost SNAP access just this last year. That is nearly half of all recipients in my State, the largest drop in the country. That means parents skipping meals so their kids can eat. This means seniors choosing between groceries and medication. It means food banks stretched beyond capacity, trying to fill the gap that the Federal Government has created. Instead of reversing course, Trump's budget doubles down. It eliminates financial assistance for families that are facing rising utility bills. It slashes affordable housing programs like CDBG. It cuts nutrition and health assistance for women, infants, and children, WIC. It guts cancer research and public health funding, even as rural hospitals struggle to stay open. This budget is a statement of values, and it shows clearly that the priority is not our people. It tells us exactly who this administration is willing to fight for and who it is willing to leave behind, with a 42-percent increase in funding for the Pentagon while cutting programs that support the American people here at home by 10 percent. I will not support a budget that asks working families to sacrifice more just to bankroll endless wars abroad and hand out tax breaks to the wealthy. ``Our people deserve better''; ``nuestra gente merece mejor.''