Analilia Mejia

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Ryan P. Haygood for his extraordinary contributions to civil rights, racial justice, and his efforts to advance equality throughout New Jersey and across our Nation. As President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Ryan led efforts to address systemic inequality and strengthen communities throughout our state. Under his leadership, the Institute advanced measures to ensure all communities do more than survive, they thrive. Ryan tirelessly advocated for New Jersey's $15 minimum wage, automatic voter registration, and the restoration of voting rights to approximately 83,000 residents on probation or parole. His advocacy contributed to ending prison-based gerrymandering and expanded opportunities for historically underserved communities. Ryan's leadership has transformed New Jersey. He advanced critical criminal justice reforms, including efforts to close New Jersey's youth prisons and expanded community-based alternatives to incarceration. Under his leadership, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice has worked to address racial disparities in housing and economic opportunity, advocated for greater access to homeownership, and established the New Jersey Reparations Council in order to examine the lasting impacts of slavery and systemic discrimination. Ryan Haygood is no stranger to the fight for justice. Prior to leading the Institute, Ryan served as Deputy Director of Litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, working on landmark civil rights cases defending voting rights and challenging discriminatory practices. Today, he continues his commitment to justice as President and Chief Executive Officer of the much-lauded Southern Poverty Law Center. Today I rise to celebrate Ryan Haygood's remarkable contributions to our state and to uplift his unwavering commitment to equality, opportunity, and justice. His leadership and advocacy will strengthen our democracy and will help build a more just and equitable future for all. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ryan P. Haygood for his extraordinary service to New Jersey and our Nation. His leadership and advocacy have strengthened our democracy and helped build a more just and equitable future for all.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the vibrant Latino communities across New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. Our district, at the crossroads of critical moments in history, is as diverse as it is historic. Communities from across the diaspora proudly call the 11th District home, including my own. Recognizing the impact of the Latino community, without naming the crisis our community faces would be a disservice at this moment, however. As the daughter of two Latino immigrants, I was raised by parents who recognized the importance of embracing my Nation, while holding on to who I was. Following the scores of immigrants who arrived upon these shores, Latino Americans have created communities that enriched their adopted and beloved land, while remembering the culture of their parents and grandparents. Like many, irrespective of their culture or ethnic backgrounds, we stand appalled at the way in which those at the highest perches of this land use racist tropes and dog whistles to divide a nation of immigrants yearning for liberty and justice for all. Across my district, this warfare is made evident by every unjust arrest, through the gutting of safety net programs, and the wholesale vilification of a community that loves this Nation enough to serve it, grow it, and defend it. Violent arrests, courthouse ambushes, the denial of justice all lay bare the willingness of some to turn away from what actually makes America great: ``one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'' Some say that upholding these words somehow takes away the freedoms and opportunities of those whose ancestors arrived upon these shores in generations past. This flawed thinking treats justice as if it were finite, as if it were cake, and sharing a piece somehow lessens what is placed upon your plate. Well, Madam Speaker, justice, freedom, and opportunity are not cake. It does not run out if someone else gets a slice.

Ms. MEJIA. Madam Speaker, one of the most important aspects of the human experience is artistic expression. It builds bridges, connects communities, and exemplifies how beauty is found in the ordinary and extraordinary. That is why I rise today to recognize the New Jersey Ballet, an institution based in Florham Park that has brought artistic excellence to audiences across our State for nearly seven decades. Founded in 1958, the New Jersey Ballet is entering a new era under artistic director Maria Kowroski, a 25-year veteran of the New York City Ballet. The company continues to honor iconic works, while commissioning new work that shapes the future of dance. Through school partnerships, community programs, sensory friendly performances, and Dancing for Parkinson's, New Jersey Ballet is making the performing arts accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Since 2022, NJB has proudly served as the resident ballet company at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, bringing world-class performances to our district in Morris County and supporting local businesses. I am proud to recognize the New Jersey Ballet for inspiring generations of New Jerseyans and enriching our State's cultural identity. Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Major General Christopher D. Schneider for his new role as the commanding general of Picatinny Arsenal in addition to serving as the portfolio acquisition executive for agile sustainment and ammunition. General Schneider brings to this role more than three decades of distinguished service to our Nation. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he began his career as an infantry officer, serving with the 1st Infantry Division, the 18th Airborne Corps, and the 82nd Airborne Division. Also, he served with the 75th Ranger Regiment, with deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He later transitioned to the Army Acquisition Corps, where he held senior leadership positions focused on strengthening our Nation's military capabilities and advancing critical technologies. As commanding general of Picatinny Arsenal, General Schneider takes on an important responsibility for the U.S. Army and will be supported by one of the most talented and hardworking workforces in the Army right here in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. I congratulate General Schneider on his new role and look forward to working with him to support Picatinny Arsenal, its workforce, and our national security. I welcome General Schneider to Picatinny and thank him for his service to our country.

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the leadership of Niheema Malloy, the first woman and the first Black woman to serve as chief of police in Maplewood, New Jersey. Chief Malloy was appointed to this position with over 25 years of law enforcement experience. Under her leadership, Maplewood would have a department built on community partnership, officers trained in de- escalation, in crisis response, and in listening before a crisis ever happens. Chief Malloy is committed to putting Maplewood first by ensuring that community safety and protection go hand in hand with the well-being of our residents. New Jersey is proud of Chief Niheema Malloy. Her leadership reflects the very best of our communities, and I thank her for her remarkable service. congratulating major general christopher d. schneider

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, our forefathers showed tremendous wisdom at the founding of our Nation. They created a republic based on democratic values but remained keenly aware of the danger power, ambition, and corruption could present to future generations. Today, House Republicans are asking Congress to surrender its power, a power that rightfully belongs to the American people. Our Founding Fathers gave Congress countervailing power to the executive, which this ideologically captured Court is actively attempting to upend. That is disgraceful, and if we do not forcefully push back, it will not end. Expanding the Court is one of the clearest tools we have to restore its integrity. Ethics reforms and staggered term limits would prevent any single President from stripping the American people of our democracy. Every day we let this administration tighten its grip on our highest court of the land puts every single constitutional protection we enjoy at risk. I did not come to Congress to watch our democracy get dismantled in silence. I will not watch it happen now. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to gather the intestinal fortitude to do what is right in this moment because history and the American people are watching. recognizing niheema malloy

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Passaic County commissioner and my friend Bruce James. Bruce served as a county commissioner for over 20 years and previously served as a union leader at the Passaic County Board of Social Services. Bruce was a lifelong champion of working people and was integral to our fight to raise the minimum wage in New Jersey. For two decades, he showed up for our community for stronger parks, safer streets, and a county government that met families on their hardest days. He sat across that desk himself, and he never forgot it. Bruce did this work because he believed that working people deserved dignity, respect, and a government that fights for them as hard as they fight for themselves. Mr. Speaker, we carry forward Bruce's fight and his legacy with love.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of the newest inductees to the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Mr. Matt Trevenen. A graduate of Montclair High School, he is one of the most decorated attackmen at Montclair. He was a two-time first team all-State selection, a two-time Lacrosse all-American, and a two-time New Jersey Attackman of the Year. In 1998, Mr. Trevenen was named the Star-Ledger New Jersey State Player of The Year and the first player in State history to record two 100-point seasons. He currently still holds or shares six individual Montclair records. As if that wasn't enough, he went on to Princeton where he was a 3- year starter and a member of the 2001 NCAA championship team. In 1999, he was one of five New Jersey players selected to the U.S.A. Lacrosse U-19 National Team, which captured the World Championship in Adelaide, Australia. Mr. Speaker, since retiring as a player, Mr. Trevenen dedicated himself as a coach and a leader in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. I rise to celebrate him.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with urgency. Weeks ago, President Trump fired every remaining Commissioner of the Federal agency charged with protecting the integrity of our elections. This Chamber has not reckoned with that fully, and it should. The Election Assistance Commission exists to help carry out free and fair elections in this country. It was structured by law with four bipartisan members precisely so that no single administration could control how our elections are run. That structure is the point. For over a year, this administration pressed that very Commission to require a passport or original birth certificate as a condition for voter registration. Millions of Americans do not have ready access to either document. The Commission would not act on this demand, and the courts agreed. Both checks held. Then, days after the Supreme Court granted the President new authority to remove the heads of independent agencies in a case that had nothing to do with elections, the President used that very authority in order to eliminate every Commissioner. This was not incidental. It was the removal of the officials standing between this President and a policy his own Commission and the courts have rejected. Last Thursday night, he took his case to national television. In a prime-time address from the White House, the President declassified documents he claimed proved foreign interference and widespread fraud in the election he lost over 5 years ago. He alleged a foreign government has compromised the voter data of 220 million Americans and that 278,000 noncitizens were registered to vote. Independent fact checkers, who reviewed those very documents, found that they did not support the claim made about them. He presented no evidence of a single fraudulent vote because 5 years and 64 court cases have never produced even one. This Chamber has now watched the same pattern twice: raise unproven claims of fraud, then use them to justify removing the very safeguards standing in the way; first the Commissioners and now a prime-time address built to manufacture support for legislation his own party could not pass on its merits, the SAVE Act. House Republicans have pushed it through, and Senate Republicans have tried repeatedly to force it through as a reconciliation amendment, needing only a simple majority, only to see it blocked each and every time. Under this bill, a driver's license does not satisfy the registration requirement. Only a passport, an original birth certificate, or naturalization papers would. Consider what that means: 146 million Americans do not hold a valid passport, and roughly 69 million married women hold birth certificates that no longer match their legal names. When Kansas tried a version of this requirement, 31,000 eligible citizens, 12 percent of all applicants, were blocked from registering--not noncitizens, citizens. Mr. Speaker, this has never been a matter of election integrity. It is a matter of who holds power in this country and who is permitted to participate in choosing it. When a party grows uncertain it could win on the merits, the next move is rarely to accept that outcome. It is to lay the groundwork in advance so any unfavorable results can be dismissed before a single vote is counted. This Chamber should be prepared to say clearly every time that surfaces that this is not a defense of democracy. It is a preview of what happens if this administration does not like what voters decide. Congress has an obligation to respond. We must enact durable, statutory protections for the administration of Federal elections so that no single official can dismantle them by executive action. We must pursue meaningful reform of the Supreme Court, including term limits and enforceable ethical standards because a Court that keeps expanding this President's authority is not exercising oversight. It is, in fact, removing it. Each of these actions taken individually may appear isolated. Taken together, however, they constitute a sustained effort to narrow the American electorate at the exact moment this country is apt to render judgment on this administration. I will not treat this as acceptable, and I will not stop opposing it.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Craig A. Bonham, II. Lieutenant Colonel Bonham has served as Garrison Commander of Picatinny Arsenal since June 2024. Today, he ends his service with Picatinny as he transfers leadership to Lieutenant Colonel John A. Meier. I am proud to honor a dedicated Army officer whose service has strengthened New Jersey's llth Congressional District, the State of New Jersey, and the United States as a whole. As Garrison Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Bonham led with excellence as he and his team supported the installation's more than 6,000 Soldiers, civilians, and contractors. The Picatinny community benefited from his responsibly executed commitment to their mission and to their morale, welfare, and professional development. Under his supervision of Garrison operations, Picatinny Arsenal continued to serve as a cornerstone of defense innovation and an engine of economic strength for the region. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Lieutenant Colonel Bonham's first assignments were as an Assistant Battalion Logistics Officer and Launcher Platoon Leader for the 4th Battalion, 5th Air and Missile Defense Regiment at Fort Hood. He was selected for the Civil Affairs Corps in 2009. His career includes numerous roles in Civil Affairs Leadership in and support of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe and Africa, including two deployments to Africa. He has acted in key leadership roles, including as a Military Planner for NATO Allied Land Command and most recently as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart. Lieutenant Colonel Bonham's many awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal and Army Achievement Medal. These awards reflect a career of excellence and selfless service to his country. Above all, he is supported by his wife Tutku and their two daughters, whose sacrifice and commitment have been essential to his success. I extend my deepest gratitude to Lieutenant Colonel Bonham and his family for their service to our country. I wish him best of luck and continued success in his next role for our military.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the proud co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus' Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force. This month, we mark the 158th anniversary of one of the most important amendments ever added to our Constitution. Forged in the aftermath of the Civil War and paid for by the blood, sweat, and tears of Black freedom fighters and their allies, the 14th Amendment declared that every person born in these United States is anointed with inalienable rights and responsibilities, never to be infringed upon by the actions of any State or entity. Together, with the 13th and 15th amendments, it marked what historians call: The second founding of our Nation, an effort to build a democracy that truly includes everyone. History reminds us that writing rights into our Constitution is only the beginning. For decades after Reconstruction, millions of Black Americans were denied those very rights through segregation, voter suppression, and racial violence. The Constitution had not changed. What changed was whether or not our country chose to enforce it. It took generations of organizing and sacrifice before Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and began making good on the promise that existed for nearly a century. That history matters because it teaches us an important lesson: Constitutional rights do not appear or disappear overnight. They are built or weakened piece by piece, action by action. Court decisions, legislation, political rhetoric, actions that slowly erode the institutions designed to protect our democracy. Viewed in isolation, the current challenges to birthright citizenship, due process, equal protection, and the freedom to vote may seem like isolated political actions, but viewed together it becomes crystal clear that our Constitution and the promise of our second founding is under attack. What is more? It is clear that it is our duty as true patriots to combat it. That is why House Democrats created the Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force. Our mission is simple: Defend the constitutional rights that generations of Americans fought to secure. Our rights are not guaranteed simply because they are written down. They endure because people defend them. The generations before us marched, organized, and sacrificed to make the promises of the 14th Amendment real. They understood that democracy requires participation, accountability, and constant vigilance. Now, that responsibility belongs to us. Every generation faces a defining test. For generations that ratified the 14th Amendment, it was whether America would finally recognize citizenship and the humanity of those who had been enslaved. For the generations that marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, it was whether every American would have an equal voice at the ballot box. Our generation faces a different question: Will we preserve those constitutional guarantees for the generations that follow? As long as I have the privilege of serving in this House, I will continue fighting to protect that promise for every family, community, and generation to come. Mr. Speaker, the Constitution is only as strong as our willingness to defend it. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver).

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall), my fellow co-chair.

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Aguilar and my fellow co- chairs, Representatives Cleaver, Randall, Simon, and Subramanyam, for their leadership in launching the Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force. This work is about protecting the Constitution's promise that every person deserves equal protection, due process, and the full rights of citizenship. Those principles have shaped generations of progress in our country, and they are worth defending today just as they were 158 years ago. We owe it to those who came before us and those who will follow us to ensure that that promise endures. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise with a complaint. A few days ago, while my colleagues in the New Jersey delegation and I attempted to carry out our oversight responsibilities at Delaney Hall, we found ourselves blocked by ICE and its contractor, GEO Group. While we can debate the abhorrent actions of this administration toward immigrants and Americans alike, what we should not debate is our right to carry out our duties on behalf of the American people. The bottom line is, Members of this governing body have a duty to oversee all aspects of our government and its entities. We have a duty to ask hard questions and challenge injustice, even when it is carried out by our own government. I have walked the halls of Delaney and Elizabeth Detention Centers. My account of medical abuse and neglect have been direct and truthful. Every American should be concerned about what Members of our delegation have relayed. They should be concerned of the persecution of one of our own Members, and they should demand that oversight continues. Today, the rights at risk are those on the margins, but ultimately injustice can and will come for us all. Commitment to Protect Our Freedoms

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in a moment in which our Nation both celebrates its first founding while simultaneously forces within it attack the essence of its second. As we reflect on our Nation's 250th anniversary, I pause to recognize the democratic values hardwired into the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, amendments that defined the American freedoms we fight to preserve and restore today. Ratified on July 9, 1868, and debated in this very Chamber, the 14th Amendment is one of the most transformative amendments in American history. It fundamentally expanded who counts in American democracy and established the principle that everyone born in these United States belongs here and deserves equal protection under the law. The word ``transformative,'' in fact, falls short. Because of the 14th Amendment, individuals who walked these hallowed Halls were able to fight for marriage equality, bodily autonomy, equal access to public education, public housing, the right to form a union, collectively bargain, and much, much more. To put it simply, for more than 150 years, the 14th Amendment has undergirded much of what we fight to enact and strive to defend in this Hall. Those protections have been under attack since their inception, but in recent years, these attacks have escalated, stripping some protections from the hands of our fellow Americans. This is why I rise at this moment, to remind my colleagues and fellow Americans about what is truly at stake. Those privileged and blessed to represent our fellow Americans have a special charge in this moment. I take that charge seriously, with a commitment to protect our freedoms today and for those who will come after us, generations to come.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 9246.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, lawmakers in this chamber came together to pass a bipartisan housing affordability bill aimed at helping American families struggling with rising rents, rising mortgages, and the cost of living. In most cases, we would celebrate the bipartisanship, a rare event most Americans are desperate for--most Americans except President Donald Trump. Our President would much rather derail the opportunity to make housing more affordable in order to hold his own party hostage for his despotic political agenda. This is not only unconscionable, but we have to resist. Families are worried about whether or not they can afford a home, and we are living with the highest rates of inflation this Nation has seen in years. Instead of focusing on making life more affordable, this President is choosing to gut voting rights for the American people again. I see you, Mr. President, petulant and shortsighted, and, yet again, so do the American people.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8882, the Main Street Competes Act. New Jersey's 11th Congressional District is a vibrant community in great part because of our thriving Main Streets. As I engage my constituents across New Jersey's 11th, I spend a lot of time talking to entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and local employers. Whether it is a manufacturer in Fairfield, a restaurant owner in Morristown, or a retailer trying to keep their doors open on Main Street, I hear the same thing over and over again: They don't want special treatment. They just want a fair shot. Unfortunately, that is not always the reality. Too often, small businesses find themselves competing against companies with enormous market power and deep pockets. When anticompetitive behavior goes unchecked, it is the mom-and-pop businesses that pay the price. Small businesses face higher costs, fewer opportunities, and an increasingly uneven playing field. That is why this bill matters. The Main Street Competes Act strengthens coordination between the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, and the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy to ensure small business concerns don't get lost in the shuffle. This legislation gives Congress a clearer picture of how anticompetitive practices are affecting small businesses and helps make sure that the voices of entrepreneurs are actually being heard. Frankly, this is long overdue. Small businesses are responsible for nearly half of the private-sector jobs in this country, yet often our policy discussions are dominated by the biggest players. At a time when businessowners are already navigating rising costs, workforce shortages, and economic uncertainty, the last thing they need is a marketplace rigged against them. This act is a practical, bipartisan bill that makes our government work better for the people who take the risk of opening a business, hiring workers, and investing in their communities, like the incredible businesses in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I speak on behalf of small business owners across New Jersey and across my district, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8882.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the courage and selflessness of Simone Kelly of South Orange, New Jersey. During the New York Knicks championship parade, amongst a crowd of 2 million fans, Simone noticed a man climbing onto a roof of a subway station entrance. He was wobbling and swaying until he fell unconscious. Simone immediately sprung into action. An off-duty EMT with the South Orange Volunteer Rescue Squad, Simone climbed onto that roof, assessed the situation, and administered Narcan, helping to revive the unconscious man until emergency responders arrived. Her quick thinking, training, and commitment to serve others saved a life that day. Just as important, Simone reminded us that public service is not confined to a shift, a uniform, or a title. It is a calling that guides people. New Jersey is proud of Simone Kelly. Her actions embody the very best of our communities, and I thank her for her remarkable service.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, Leonard Luciano, Jr., affectionately known as Junior, Lenny, or Mr. Lou, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and schoolteacher in Newark, New Jersey. For decades, he was also known throughout Livingston and West Essex for making the most delicious pizza at Junior's Pizzeria. The 11th of 12 children, he was raised in Livingston, New Jersey, and Mr. Lou worked tirelessly to serve all those around him because he knew that through service and community, one improves the world as well as one's self. A member of the first graduating class of Livingston High School in 1957, he excelled as a standout football linebacker, leading his team in tackles year after year, a fact he happily loved to share. Mr. Speaker, nothing can make up for the sudden loss of this generous and kindhearted man, but it is a privilege to take this moment of remembrance. We are all so much better for having known Mr. Luciano. Job well done.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the retirement of Major General John T. Reim after more than 36 years of distinguished service to our country. Most recently, Major General Reim served as the first Portfolio Acquisition Executive Agile Sustainment & Ammunition and as the Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal since June 2022. I am proud to honor a New Jersey native whose leadership and dedication has strengthened New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, the State of New Jersey, and the United States as a whole. Prior to his new role as one of the first Portfolio Acquisition Executives, Major General Reim served as Joint Program Executive Officer Armaments & Ammunition. In both roles, he has been an unwavering leader within the Army's acquisition and innovation enterprise. The systems, munitions, and capabilities developed under his leadership have made our country safer. He led critical efforts to modernize and revitalize the Nation's munitions production base, strengthen industrial capacity and ensure the readiness of our stockpiles in support of global contingencies. His work was vital to sustaining America's defense priorities and those of our allies. As Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal, Major General Reim led with distinction. The installation's more than 6,000 Soldiers, civilians, and contractors benefited from his commitment to their mission and to their morale, welfare, and professional development. Under his leadership, Picatinny Arsenal continued to serve as a cornerstone of defense innovation and an engine of economic strength for the region. Major General Reim has been an invaluable partner to Congress. His expertise strengthened congressional oversight and improved our ability to advocate effectively for our national defense priorities. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Major General Reim commissioned into the Quartermaster Corps in 1990 and later entered the Acquisition Corps in 1998. His career includes a wide range of leadership and staff assignments across the Army, Joint Special Operations Command, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Major General Reim's many awards and decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit, reflect a career defined by excellence and selfless service. Above all, he is supported by his wife Patty and their four children, whose sacrifice and commitment have been essential to his success.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the life of Marina Eudelia Hoepelman Del Monte, the beloved mother of Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie, who passed away at the age of 77. Marina was the embodiment of strength, sacrifice, and quiet dignity. After emigrating from the Dominican Republic, she worked hard to build a better life for her, her family, and helped raise generations rooted in love, resilience, and service to others. Her legacy lives on through her daughters, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren, and through the values that she instilled in all who knew her. Today, we mourn alongside Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie and her family, and we honor a remarkable woman whose life reminds us of the extraordinary impact of mothers, immigrants, and caregivers in shaping our communities and our country. May Marina's memory forever be a blessing.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, a year ago, I was an advocate standing outside Delaney Hall, a detention center in Newark, New Jersey, demanding our government treat immigrants with justice and human decency. I watched in horror as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was dragged across a gate only to be arrested. I was appalled to see three of my now congressional colleagues manhandled with impunity. This week, when I returned to Delaney Hall with two of those same colleagues, I had my worst fears confirmed. Injustice and suffering are visible in plain sight. Pregnant women writhe in pain without care. An injured man wept in fear for his life, and more alarming, the staff of this facility are unprepared and unable to care for those in their custody. I may never forget the faces of those detainees begging for help. These people deserve the fullness of our Constitution and laws. These immigrants deserve humanity, and we must fight for justice if we wish to protect our own.

Ms. MEJIA

Ms. MEJIA. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.