LaMonica McIver

Mrs. McIVER

Mrs. McIVER. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the incredible voices and stories captured in ``We Were Strangers Once, Too.'' This is a powerful memoir retelling the immigrant journeys and stories of students from my district. I had the opportunity to meet these young authors and witness them share vulnerable and deeply personal experiences. Their stories highlighted the difficult reality for many migrants who leave their home country in pursuit of a better life. These stories highlight something else: Hope--hope for a brighter future and hope rooted in the belief that, no matter where we come from, we all deserve dignity, safety, and happiness. As immigrants are othered by divisive policies, stories like these bring us closer together and show our shared humanity is stronger than what tries to divide us. They serve as a reminder, as President Obama once said: ``We were strangers once, too.'' I commend the bravery of the student authors sharing these truths and the work of their editor, Shawn Adler, who is here with us in the gallery today. Thank you for sharing your voices with the world. Honoring Inez Rosalie Alick Elliot's 108th Birthday

Mrs. McIVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Inez Rosalie Alick Elliot, who just celebrated her 108th birthday. Known as Rose to family and friends, she celebrated her 108th birthday on January 20. Faith has always been a cornerstone for Rose's life. A long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in East Orange, Rose embodies the spirit of service and dedication. Her commitment to our community has been recognized with numerous accolades. She was honored with the Essex County Legends Award for her contributions and work improving the lives of fellow seniors. Known for her grace, laughter, and wisdom, she remains a positive role model for all of us. She is a beacon of inspiration, reminding us all that faith, service, and laughter are the keys to a long, fulfilling life. Happy birthday, Rose. Making SNAP More Accessible

Mrs. McIVER. Madam Speaker, I introduced the SNAP Benefits Fairness Act in the U.S. House with Representative Shontel Brown to remove the housing cap on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and make SNAP benefits more accessible to those who need them. Madam Speaker, the cost of housing is taking up more and more of Americans' paychecks, and SNAP benefits are not keeping up. It is time to bring SNAP up to speed and create opportunities for working families to use essential programs like SNAP that reduce poverty and help them make ends meet. By getting rid of the shelter cap, this bill ensures working families who are spending too much on rent and utilities get the benefits they deserve without being punished by high housing costs. I am grateful to Representative Brown for joining me on this legislation that will help ease the burden on families.

Mrs. McIVER

Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to announce that on Friday I was proud to introduce the Amputation Reduction and Compassion, or ARC, Act to help combat preventable amputations brought on by peripheral artery disease, also known as PAD. The ARC Act will save lives and reduce amputations by ensuring high- risk Medicare and Medicaid recipients have access to PAD screenings at no additional cost. Lowering costs will allow for better screening, earlier detection and treatment, and remove cost-prohibitive barriers to care. This bill is very special to me, as it was first introduced by my predecessor, the late Representative Donald Payne, Jr. I am honored to ensure his work for better, more accessible care and his legacy are carried on with the ARC Act. With the co-leadership of Representatives Jonathan Jackson and Robin Kelly, I am proud to introduce the ARC Act to save limbs, reduce patient costs, and save lives. Every Kid is at Risk

Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to object to the dangerous bill, H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025, better known as the child predator empowerment act. As the mom of an 8-year-old little girl who loves sports, who loves soccer, this bill is invasive to young girls but also dangerous to every kid. It puts every kid at risk. Every kid is at risk under this bill. I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mrs. McIVER

Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1361, a bill originally introduced by Representative Donald Payne, Jr., of New Jersey, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mrs. McIVER

Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1765, a bill originally introduced by Representative Donald Payne, Jr., of New Jersey, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mrs. McIVER

Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of the Honorable Mildred C. Crump, a visionary leader and trailblazer from my beloved city of Newark, New Jersey. Mildred was a woman of many ``firsts'' and her wisdom, guidance, and unwavering belief in justice helped shape my life and career--and transformed the lives of so many others. As the first African American woman elected to the Newark City Council and as the council's first woman president, Mildred broke barriers and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to equity, justice, and community empowerment. Her dedication to improving the lives of others--whether through her pioneering work as New Jersey's first African American Braille teacher or her tireless advocacy for housing, education, and civil rights--has left an everlasting mark on our city, state, and Nation. Council President Crump was more than a role model. She was a relentless advocate and champion for people, and a brilliant community strategist. She blazed a path for so many and was always a source of unwavering support for those of us who had the honor of learning from her. Mildred's leadership, compassion, and vision will be profoundly missed. All Newarkers mourn the loss of this exceptional woman. I send my deepest condolences to her children, Larry and Sheri, and all her loved ones. I know Mildred's legacy and impact will live on. It lives on in me and many others. I thank Mildred C. Crump, on behalf of all the little Black and brown girls she has inspired and provided a light to shine. We love you forever.

Mrs. McIVER

Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate the life of Honorable Mildred C. Crump, a visionary leader and trailblazer from my beloved city of Newark, New Jersey, who passed away this past Sunday, December 1, 2024. Mildred was a woman of many firsts. Her wisdom, guidance, and unwavering belief in justice helped shape my life and career and transformed the lives of so many others. As the first African-American woman elected to the Newark City Council and as the council's first woman president, Mildred broke barriers and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to equity, justice, and community empowerment. Her dedication to improving the lives of others, whether through her pioneering work as New Jersey's first African-American braille teacher or her tireless advocacy for housing, education, and civil rights, has left an everlasting mark on our city, State, and Nation. Council President Crump was more than a role model. She was a relentless advocate and champion for people and a brilliant community strategist. She blazed a path for so many and was always a source of unwavering support. For those of us who had the honor of learning from her, we are grateful for her. Mildred's leadership, compassion, and vision will be profoundly missed. All Newarkers mourn the loss of this exceptional woman. I send my deepest condolences to her children, Larry and Sheri, the rest of her family, and her loved ones. I know Mildred's legacy and impact will live on. It lives in me and many others. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mildred C. Crump on behalf of all the little Black and Brown girls she inspired and provided a light to shine. We will love her forever.

Mrs. McIVER

Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, Leader Jeffries, Congressman Pallone, my great colleagues in the New Jersey delegation, I am deeply humbled and honored that the people of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District have put their faith in me to give them a bold voice in the United States House of Representatives. I recognize my mom, my dad, sisters, husband, my bright 8-year-old daughter, and friends and extended family. I thank them so much for traveling here from New Jersey to be with me. I express my deepest gratitude to those who have provided mentorship and guidance throughout my career. A few of those folks are here today, like my New Jersey State Chairman, Leroy Jones, who is here watching tonight. Tonight, I walk in the footsteps of those who have come before me. The city of Newark, my lifelong home, has produced fierce, unyielding leaders who have dedicated their lives and careers to the pursuit of justice. My predecessor, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., embodied the vibrant spirit of our city and the people he faithfully served. He was an example to many of us. As I stand before my colleagues tonight, I pay tribute to him, and both deeply feel and will always miss his presence and his leadership. While I walk in the footsteps of those who came before me, it is my hope to blaze new trails together on the march toward fully realizing the promise of our great American Nation. I personally thank my mayor, Ras J. Baraka, who introduced me to politics at the age of 10. It is fitting that he is here tonight with us. It was in those years that I saw up close how government at all levels could impact daily life in our communities, how even small changes have the ability to add up to transformational progress. I later had the opportunity and privilege to serve my city as a member of the Newark City Council and as council president. As I stand here tonight, I am filled with more optimism than ever before that we can accomplish so much together, that we can find common ground, that we can disagree while nurturing our democracy, that we can bring the voices of our beautiful, diverse communities together, and that we can protect and strengthen the freedoms and opportunities that make America, America. I cannot be more proud and grateful that the people of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District have entrusted me to carry forward their will in this House, for which I thank all of them. May God bless the 10th District, and God bless America.