Delia Ramirez

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for all Members to have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order hour.

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start my Special Order hour by honoring someone who has been monumental in my life. I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my pastor and friend, the one and only Reverend Fernando Siaba. It is hard to fully describe the impact that he had on my life and how much I will miss him blessing me with ``God bless''; ``Dios te bendiga.'' Pastor Siaba lived a life that exemplified love for God and for his neighbors. I met Pastor Siaba at Humboldt Park United Methodist Church when I was just 15 years old. He invested heavily in my spiritual and professional development, both as my pastor and as board chair of Humboldt Park Social Services, now Center for Changing Lives, the organization that I had the honor to be the executive director for, for 9 years. Mentoring leaders, particularly women of faith and leadership, was one of Pastor Siaba's greatest gifts. Over his impactful career, he served eight congregations. Even after his retirement, he continued serving by mentoring pastors, being registrar for the John Wesley Theological Institute, volunteering at a food pantry, and leading at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church. Pastor Siaba had a gift for thoughtful planning. He was so detail- oriented, humble, and truly the best listener. In true Pastor Siaba fashion, he planned his own funeral, and he requested his eulogist preach on John 1:16: ``From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.'' While he may have defined his life by grace, we all benefited from the grace he extended to us. He wanted the best for all of us. He advocated for immigrants, people who were unhoused, and people who were struggling with substance abuse. He truly lived a life of love and action. He taught us to love God, to serve our community, to seek justice, and to welcome our neighbors with open arms. Today, on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, that young person that he mentored, supported, and believed in has the greatest honor to commend him here on the House floor, in the House of Representatives, to commend the life of Reverend Fernando Siaba for his legacy of love, joy, and service. I express my sincere condolences to his wife, Judy Siaba; his three daughters, Erika, Marta, and Ruth; and his entire beloved family. May his memory be a blessing that sustains our fight for justice, and may he be welcomed in the company of saints and ancestors as a good and faithful servant. Mr. Speaker, may Pastor Siaba rest in peace. Honoring Marisol Velez

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to honor someone else. Today, I want to honor Marisol Velez, known as Pinqy Ring. She is a rooted, revolutionary Puerto Rican emcee from Chicago, decolonizing minds as a rapper, as an educator, as a mentor, and as a speaker. As a cultural worker and disruptor, Pinqy's music ignites our imaginations and sustains our struggles against displacement and erasure. As an educator and mentor, she shapes the next generation of creative changemakers through culturally rooted programming and radical care. Pinqy is a GRAMMY U mentor. She sits on the National Advisory Board for Music Will and serves as a U.S. Hip-Hop Cultural Ambassador to facilitate cultural diplomacy programming and conflict transformation music. In her roles, she is shaping the first-ever K-12 hip-hop guidelines with the Hip-Hop Education Center. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my honor to commend Marisol Velez for helping young people find their truth unapologetically and share it creatively. Now, here in the House of Representatives, her name will live on. I congratulate Pinqy. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood). Operation Midway Blitz Can Never Happen Again

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Underwood for her hard work, her courage, her commitment, and for speaking truth to power in the people's House. Mr. Speaker, when I look around at every single chair here, I think about the fact that Members of Congress, every one of us represents about 700,000 people, but together we represent every single person that lives in this country. That has got to be the greatest honor and privilege for anyone to be able to serve humanity in this way. Therefore, it is important for me to think about the people's House, about the fact that we went 43 days without being in session. The Speaker put us into recess, and some of my colleagues were not even in their district. But here we are 43 days later, on the fourth day of this week of session, and as a reminder, I feel the necessity to remind my fellow Americans around the country and everyone watching what has happened here. As a reminder, Republicans' big, ugly bill perpetrated the greatest transfer of wealth from working people to the ultra-wealthy in American history. I can tell you that when I visited food pantries in my district, I met people who said to me: Congresswoman, every single year I donate a thousand dollars to this food pantry, but here I am making a line, and I have been here for 3 hours. This is not the country and the promise that I thought the President made. Here we are now. This week, instead of actually fixing healthcare, instead of passing legislation where we are actually strengthening the safety net for our constituents, instead of working together to build in the people's House, we are here filled with censures. And this week, Republicans are attacking more of the programs that our fellow Americans rely on, resolving that programs like Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and more are horrors. Let's talk about the truth of the so-called Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism resolution that we are going to be voting on in a couple of hours in the morning. Republicans must despise you and hate the idea of seeing our communities thrive. Look, Republicans are quick to steal the programs and services you rely on to bail out the ultra-wealthy and big corporations, so we know that it is not the subsidies or supports that are the problem. Republicans champion socialism when it is benefiting the rich and the powerful who they think deserve it most. But when it comes to working families, then social programs are a nightmare because, bottom line, they do not believe you deserve the support. Let me give you a few examples of social welfare programs that Americans rely on every single day whether they are in a Republican district or a Democratic district: SNAP benefits, VA benefits, local fire departments and police departments, the United States Postal Service, FEMA, public education, and the interstates that make commerce possible. Listen, socialized programs are the foundation and safety net that ensures all members of our community can thrive regardless of our personal economic ability to pay into a capitalistic society. Let's be very clear. I know, Mr. Speaker, you may not want to hear this, but it feels like hypocrisy. They want to give money to the elites while leaving nothing for everyday working families. It goes without saying that I will be voting ``no'' on this resolution. I believe that our country must reprioritize and reconsider what we invest in. For me, that is working people. The ultra-rich don't need more subsidies. We are about to have a trillionaire that comes from this country, and they should finally be paying their fair share in taxes. I believe that everyday, hardworking people deserve more and better. They have said this to you directly. They have said this to all of us directly. I believe in universal healthcare--I do. I believe in free higher education--I do. And I believe social housing and pensions for all so that people don't have to work until they are 90, and they can retire with dignity. I also believe in a guaranteed minimum income, free public transit, and so much more. You see, working families should be given every single thing they need to thrive. They shouldn't have to work 40 hours a week and still feel like they can't make it. We demand more. We demand a future that works for every working person. We can, in fact, build that together, but we can't do that if we destroy healthcare. Since day one, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have been clear about the pain they are willing to inflict on the American people. You see, in only 11 months, Republicans have used their power to cut our healthcare, to close our hospitals, to raise our healthcare costs in order to make sure that billionaire bosses become richer. It is open enrollment season, and working families are already seeing double or triple the cost they usually pay for health insurance premiums. These are the very same people that have been telling you that they can barely afford their healthcare and to pay for their mortgage. In Illinois, many people will see their costs rise between $3,000 to $23,000, money that every family in our State should be able to keep to invest in their family's and community's quality of life. Here is the bottom line: Costs keep increasing and people won't be able to afford their healthcare. Millions will go without the goods and services that they need, and the President wants us unhoused. He wants us foreclosed, he wants us poor, and it seems like he also wants us uninsured. Look, I have already signed the discharge petition to ensure that the ACA subsidies extension is put on the floor for a vote because we need to use every single tool at our disposal to fight for our working families. I think it is time--it is past time--for Republicans to join Democrats in prioritizing working people and address the pain that our communities are enduring. We should be demanding more, and it means that we could be using the discharge petition process. We have seen it work before this week, to release the Epstein files. We can do the same thing and get to the magic number of 218 Members of Congress who care more about their constituents than they care about a dictator, who care more about their constituents than they care about insurance companies, who care more about their constituents than they care about billionaires. Here is the bottom line: We must demand more. Every Member of Congress who says they care about healthcare and working people--it doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican--needs to sign the discharge petition and take action on the rising cost of living. Mr. Speaker, people keep saying, where does my money go? My taxes keep increasing. Where are they going? Well, Mr. Speaker, you and I both know where the money is going. Yes, it is going to Homeland Security, $150 billion there so that the Secretary can cosplay and jump on those $200 million jets. But it is also going to other parts of the world to pay for bombs. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about a bill I introduced a few months ago. It is the Block the Bombs Act. It must frustrate my colleagues, whether Democrat or Republican, that our government is using their money, their taxpayer dollars, so that someone else can use them in another country and bomb women and children. I have been clear since the beginning of the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel that Netanyahu and Trump are a lethal, unaccountable duo that cannot be trusted. In the time since the most recent ceasefire agreement, the Netanyahu government has continued to bomb Gaza, including refugee camps. It has restricted the movements of humanitarian aid, moved to annex the West Bank, and continued to arrest Palestinians without charge. Mr. Speaker, this is all while Netanyahu continues to lobby the U.S. for more and more of our money so they can get more weapons unconditionally, which Trump is inclined to deliver as long as he can turn Gaza into the next Middle Eastern Riviera. Today, on this House floor, we must say enough is enough. Congress must assert its oversight authority and withhold the weapons that are still being used right now, even in the midst of this so-called ceasefire, to violate U.S. and international law. That is why we must continue to demand that Congress pass the Block the Bombs Act as the first step in accountability and oversight. Do not be fooled into thinking that blocking bombs is no longer necessary. The only thing that will actually affirm a permanent ceasefire is the oversight that this body gives. It is needed more than ever because every Member of Congress should join us today. Mr. Speaker, as I prepare to close, I think about the moment we are living. I think about the children in schools who are wondering what the future will look like for them. I think about the responsibilities that we all took when we took an oath to protect the Constitution, to protect the well-being of our communities, to uphold the Constitution, and to honor our constituents. I have to say that these last 11 months have been painful. As someone who lives in the city of Chicago, I never thought that I would say that I knew what it felt like to feel like I was living under siege. As a Chicagoan under the leadership of Kristi Noem, we have felt like we have lived under siege. Mr. Speaker, I know firsthand what it feels like to have a Black Hawk helicopter surrounding my home every other day because they are getting someone else. They are arresting another mother in front of a school or tear-gassing someone else who is just recording. I know firsthand the terror that DHS immigration raids have had on our communities. We have been surveilled. People have been threatened. A 1-year-old was teargassed. A U.S. citizen child was teargassed. A pastor was pepper-balled seven times. People were subjected to warrantless arrests, precision immobilization technique maneuvers, kidnapped and disappeared. Neither Trump's administration nor DHS cares if a person is a U.S. citizen, a baby, a senior, or a pastor. There is no respect for the rule of law. Terror has been unleashed on American cities. They think that as long as they issue a statement with whatever fabricated lie that they have created that they can continue to get away with it. I want to give my colleagues three examples of what I am talking about. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, October 25, border patrol agents aggressively disrupted a children's Halloween parade and terrorized and injured a 67-year-old U.S. citizen. They pulled him out of his vehicle, tackled him to the ground, and detained him, arresting him. On Saturday, November 8, ICE agents pepper-sprayed a family and their 1-year-old child as they were leaving Sam's Club. It was a 1-year-old girl. She was a baby. On Friday, October 10, an unmarked vehicle, driven by Federal agents, crashed into Dayanne Figueroa's vehicle. They exited the vehicle with weapons drawn on her to forcibly drag her out of her car and arrest her. She is a U.S. citizen. Here is my question to my colleagues in the people's House. If DHS cannot be held accountable, if we can't do our oversight work, if we are obstructed from conducting oversight, if they are systematically undermining our civil rights and perpetrating violence in our communities, then what is Congress' responsibility? Mr. Speaker, let me say this: The answer is very clear. We must strip away every tool they are using to terrorize our communities. We can start with the taxpayer dollars they are using to harm Americans. It is time for us to begin defunding ICE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the life of Daniel ``Pogo'' Pogorzelski, a proud Polish-American uplifting his heritage, community, and the city that I love. The son of Polish immigrants, Pogo's pride in his heritage and love for his community drive him to fight for a thriving, multiracial, and multicultural Chicago. Because of his advocacy and his partnership, in Illinois, we recognize Milwaukee Avenue as the Polish Heritage Corridor to celebrate Polish culture, support a vibrant economic center, and keep communities together. Across various roles, Pogo has demonstrated his commitment to seeing his community rise, including as executive director of Avondale's Chamber of Commerce, where he developed initiatives to attract visitors to the community and help generate revenue for local small businesses, or connecting Polish neighbors who speak English as a second language to resources that help them thrive. Pogo is the embodiment of public service and commitment to diversity and unity. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my honor to commend Daniel Pogorzelski, better known as Pogo, for his dedicated public service and advocacy, which reminds us that heritage is both a legacy and a force for change. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Pogo. Honoring Carolina Carchi

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Carolina Carchi, an inspirational Latina who has gone above and beyond to help her ``classmates''; ``companeros de escuela'' succeed. Raised in West Humboldt Park by immigrant parents from Mexico and Ecuador, Carolina once again demonstrated her exceptional courage and perseverance as she was battling leukemia as a child. As a teen, Carolina once again demonstrated her leadership when her high school faced severe staffing shortages. Due to those shortages, Carolina stepped up to provide peer-to-peer education in algebra and chemistry. She designed lesson plans during free periods, printed materials at a local FedEx, and even used her own money to buy school supplies for her classmates. In her senior year, Carolina served as a Chicago Board of Education's honorary student board member, advocating for more than 300,000 students across the district. Carolina is now studying at Northwestern University, where she is pursuing a degree in teaching, something that she has some experience in already. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my honor to commend Carolina Carchi for her perseverance and dedication to quality, culturally competent education that helps our Latino community break the glass ceilings. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Carolina. Honoring Paul Levy

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Paul Levy, a Chicagoan who cultivated unique spaces for artists and entrepreneurs to strengthen partnerships, build community, and thrive. Paul possessed the ability to see beauty and potential in overlooked, abandoned spaces and buildings. Paul used his skills, resources, and vision to rehabilitate and revive two notable industrial buildings in Chicago, the Bridgeport Art Center on the South Side and Rockwell on the River, in Illinois' Third Congressional District. Each stands as a notable achievement, transforming industrial space into inviting, thriving, multidisciplinary hubs for artists and entrepreneurs working across boundaries and disciplines. Rockwell on the River in Illinois' Third Congressional District transformed what was once a century-old, vacant tannery into a space to gather, eat, and celebrate. Each building is an ecosystem of art and a bridge between Chicago's industrial history and its creative future. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my privilege to submit this commendation into the record to honor the creative legacy of Paul Levy. Mr. Speaker, I thank Paul, and may he rest in peace and power.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to start by clarifying something that was said on the Record. The sponsor of the resolution is stating that Chuy Garcia has won his primaries with 100 percent of the vote. All you have to do is go to the board of elections or BallotReady and recognize that in 2024, in his last election, his opponent got 30 percent of the vote. I want to make sure that facts matter here, and when there is misinformation, I wanted to clarify that. Let me go ahead and say at a moment when so many Members of Congress have conceded their power to Donald Trump, voting rights are on the line, super-PACs continue to buy congressional seats, and the representation of Black and Brown working families is threatened, this resolution is nothing more than a cheap political stunt pulled from the playbook of some of my Republican colleagues. Do you want proof? Some of the ones that have been suppressing the most votes have been clapping every time she speaks. It is a do-nothing resolution that targets a leader who has been holding the line in defense of democracy, someone who is not beholden to super-PACs, like foreign lobbies or Big Oil, like the American Petroleum Institute. He is someone who has voted against bills like the SAVE Act, which endangers the voting rights of women in our country. He is someone who voted against the Laken Riley Act, which allows the persecution and racial profiling of Latinos by ICE agents. He is someone who voted against the recent Republican continuing resolution, which did not protect affordable healthcare and provided a slush fund for Senators investigated for their role in the insurrection. Chuy Garcia has stood his ground for working families and our democracy in moments when others have not, including the sponsor of this resolution of disapproval, who has opened the doors to authoritarianism by the way she votes. You don't have to agree with how the events of his decision to step down unfolded to recognize that this resolution is misguided and disingenuous. Disapproving of his actions while you allow big money in politics, outside spending in elections, and rampant corruption to go unchallenged or uninterrupted is the height of hypocrisy.

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, while we need to hold each other to high standards--we do--we also need to reform a system that too often makes it nearly impossible to ensure working people like Chuy Garcia, like me, and so many others here, are well represented in the face of moneyed interests set on their destruction. I invite you today to vote ``no'' on this performative, bad- intentioned resolution, and join me in getting dark money out of politics, protecting and expanding voting rights in America, and fighting for authentic representation of all our communities. Vote ``no.''

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor President April Verrett, a fighter for working people and a fierce advocate for worker power. She is at the forefront of building a labor movement that unapologetically fights for all workers, no matter where they live and no matter what they do. President Verrett is deeply committed to justice, solidarity, and democracy. She has made her life's work to end poverty-wage work in America. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, she was raised by her grandmother, a proud union steward for SEIU Local 46. Rooted in her values, April carries on her family's commitment to community and collective action. In May 2024, April was elected president of SEIU International, making history as the first Black person to serve in this role. As SEIU International president, April brings vision, courage, and authenticity to fight for and lift up workers whose voices are often ignored. April's belief that change is possible when we build worker solidarity across perceived differences has led to transformative work to hold employers and government accountable to ensure that they pay their fair share and protect workers' wages. She works endlessly to ensure access to unions for all. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my honor to be able to commend President April Verrett today for blazing trails, leading with intersectional solidarity, and building worker power. I thank April for her hard work. Honoring Maria Correa

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maria Correa, a constituent of the Illinois Third Congressional District, a ``poderosa''; ``powerful'' Latina who remembers her roots, and a community leader in the fight for immigrant rights. A resident of West Chicago, Maria's work in the community connects residents with vital resources such as food, housing, and medical support. She is a trusted source of information and counsel, ensuring her neighbors have access to their elected officials and government resources. She organizes and equips her community to engage civically, from helping people to register to vote to promoting participation in the census. Maria makes sure each person she comes into contact with knows that they are seen, that they are loved, and they are valued, and that their voice is heard and recognized. Her dedication, courage, and compassion remind us what true leadership is, rooted in service and action. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I am proud to commend Maria Correa for all she does to build power in her community, especially with her Latino neighbors, and for fighting for a more welcoming and just society. I congratulate Maria. Honoring Maria del Carmen Casimiro

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maria del Carmen Casimiro, who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and the strength and resilience of immigrant communities. Since 1993, Maria's small business in Illinois' Third Congressional District has been an anchor for Latino families in the changing communities of Logan Square and Avondale. In the face of gentrification, her commitment to keep her culture alive through the sale of traditional Mexican foods and home goods is, in itself, commendable. For decades, Maria and her family have brought more than just food to our homes. They have brought cultural pride and a sense of belonging to our community. Maria reminds us that small businesses can make big contributions to strengthen us and unite us. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Illinois' mighty Third Congressional District, I am proud to commend Maria del Carmen Casimiro for her decades building community, sustaining cultural identities, and feeding the soul of our neighborhood. ``Gracias y felicitaciones''; ``thank you and congratulations'' to Maria.

Ms. RAMIREZ

Ms. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Juan Lopez. (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:) I rise today to honor the life of Juan Lopez--a Honduran, a Catholic leader, a human rights defender, an environmental activist--a year after his brutal assassination. Today, I declare we will not forget Juan Lopez. As Juan said, ``They can tear me up, they can cut me down. But I'll always come back.'' Today, I honor all those who carry on Juan's legacy to live without fear of powerful companies and corrupt officials stealing and polluting their land and murdering courageous leaders for peacefully defending natural resources that are rightfully theirs. Today, I stand in solidarity with all those who loved Juan Lopez, who continue his struggle, and who will not back down until we realize justice for Juan, for Berta Caceres and for all those land defenders murdered. Me levanto hoy para honrar la vida de Juan Lopez--hondureno, lider catolico defensor de los derechos humanos y activista ambiental--un ano luego de su brutal asesinato. Hoy, declaro que no olvidaremos a Juan Lopez. Como dijo: ``Pueden destrozarme, pueden derribarme. Pero siempre volvere''. Hoy, rindo homenaje a todos aquellos que continuan el legado de Juan, viviendo sin temor a que empresas poderosas y funcionarios corruptos les roben y contamine sus tierras y asesinen a lideres valientes por defender pacificamente los recursos naturales que les pertenecen por derecho. Hoy, me solidarizo con todos aquellos que amaron a Juan Lopez, que continuan su lucha y que no cederan hasta que se haga justicia para Juan, para Berta Caceres y para todos los defensores de la tierra asesinados.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Karen Lewis, a tenacious organizer, a teacher, and truth-teller. Long before she became known to many as the president of the Chicago Teachers Union, or CTU, Karen dedicated 20 years to serving Chicago students as a chemistry teacher including at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Illinois' Third. As president of CTU, Karen built an intersectional solidarity movement rooted in love, in justice, and in the radical belief that working-class Black and Brown children deserve fully funded public schools. In 2012, she courageously led her union in a successful and historic 7-day strike for a fair contract that captured the Nation's attention and brought new life into Chicago's labor movement. Today, we invoke Karen, both her wisdom and her vision, to guide us as we stand opposed to all the forces of austerity, division, fear, and hate. May her memory continue to fuel our fight, and may she rest in peace and power. Honoring the Life of Marion Stamps

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and the legacy of Marion Stamps, a Chicago civil rights icon and tenant organizer. Marion moved to Chicago in 1963 at a time when public housing residents were denied the full measure of dignity that they deserved. Marion was an organizer. She cofounded the Chicago Housing Tenants Organization, and she took on the Chicago Housing Authority, demanding respect, safety, and a seat at the table for tenants in Cabrini-Green and beyond. Marion built people power from the ground up, participating in the first and only successful national rent strike against HUD, exposing the corruption and holding Chicago city leadership accountable. Today, we invoke Marion, both her blueprint and her audacity to challenge those in power, to guide us as we challenge an administration that would deprive us of affordable housing and deepen housing inequality. May Marion's courage and her spirit, which lives in her daughters, Karla, Tracy, Guana, Justice, and Commissioner Tara Stamps, guide us to organize tenants, challenge systems, and never ask permission to make our voice heard. Honoring the Life of John Pennycuff

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of LGBTQ+ activist John Pennycuff, a proud gay man, a fearless organizer, and a tireless advocate for dignity and justice. John understood that queer liberation wasn't just about marriage or visibility. It was about housing, healthcare, and survival. Alongside his partner, Robert Castillo, John advocated to have gender identity added to the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance, increasing fair housing protections for LGBTQ+ people in Chicago. Today, his memory lives on in the John Pennycuff Memorial Apartments, an affordable housing community in Illinois' Third Congressional District that proudly honors the vision of inclusive, just neighborhoods. Today, in a moment where LGBTQ+ rights are under attack, we invoke John and his uncompromising vision of holistic justice. We thank John, and may his memory call us to act with compassion, with clarity, and without apology. Honoring the Life of Reverend Dr. Calvin Morris

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise to honor the life and legacy of the one and the only Reverend Dr. Calvin Morris, a civil rights giant, a scholar, and a spiritual leader whose work helped shape the conscience of this Nation. In 1987, at the request of Reverend Jesse Jackson, Dr. Morris became the national coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Operation Breadbasket, today known as Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He served through the assassinations of Dr. King and Fred Hampton, guiding the movement with courage, with conviction, and with faith. Dr. Morris also served for nearly two decades as the executive director of the faith-based social justice organization Community Renewal Society, where I am grateful that our paths got to cross. Today, in a moment when the civil rights gained tanks to our elders are under attack, we invoke Dr. Morris and his moral clarity, his prophetic witness, his fire for justice, and his habit for breaking out into song. In a time such as this, may his memory inspire the moral courage we need to walk boldly in his footsteps. May Dr. Morris rest in power, and may we continue to be inspired by who he is and continue to be for so many of us.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 194; NAY on Roll Call No. 195; and YEA on Roll Call No. 196.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, of course I rise in opposition to H.R. 275. Before I get into the conversation of the bill that we are debating today, I want to respond to this whole thing about transparency that I continue to hear my colleagues talk about. They talk about smoke on this side, and they are all about transparency. Well, if Republicans are really all about transparency, why is it that Members of Congress can't show up to a detention center and do their congressional oversight and see what is going on in those detention centers? It seems like Republicans are okay with transparency when it is convenient to them, but when it is about Members of Congress, regardless of their party that they are a part of, going to one of these detention centers or holding centers, they are not okay with transparency. We have heard that pregnant women are sleeping on the ground being starved and people are wearing the same clothing for days because they are at a holding center where they should have been going through due process. Unfortunately, there is no transparency there because what they end up saying is, send an email or transparency only works when it is convenient to the Republicans. I just want to say it is really hypocritical to hear my colleagues here talk about transparency when they seem to be hiding violations of human rights every single day. I want to be honest about the bill we are debating right now. This is not a bill of national security. If it were, it wouldn't propose to make sensitive security information public. No, this bill is just Republicans' latest attempt to give the Trump administration another anti-immigrant tool so that they can continue to do the fear-mongering that they know how to do so well. It is just another list that Donald Trump and Kristi Noem and Republicans and the sponsor here can use to justify their unlawful, abusive actions. You want to disappear people from California? Just say that new members of the latest criminal organization were found crossing the southern border. You want Americans to surrender their rights? Well, fearmonger and tell them that a special interest alien from a criminal organization is operating a cell in their neighborhood. The Trump administration has already demonstrated to us that they are comfortable, under the guise of national security and protection, abusing every tool and system that we have. The administration has weaponized every well-intentioned tool that this body has authorized to make immigration more humane. What makes us think that this list will be any different? I refuse to hand over greater authority and power to DHS given all the ways that they are running rampant through our States and cities, breaking down doors and kidnapping mothers, children, and law-abiding neighbors who have contributed to our communities for years. They have proven to be completely untrustworthy and downright hostile to oversight, accountability, and compliance with the rule of law, so they can't be trusted with additional tools and mandates with which they can violate our rights. Let me be very clear: For Trump and Noem, today's report is tomorrow's anti-immigrant, fascist tool. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. 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 my Special Order.

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, last week, I joined Representative Chuy Garcia, Representative Jonathan Jackson, and Representative Danny Davis at the ICE Processing Center in Broadview to investigate ICE's inhumane and unlawful detention of immigrant families and our constituents. The visit to the processing center comes after credible reports that the center is being used to unlawfully detain immigrants, contrary to city and State ordinances, including constituents of the Members who sought entry. The reports suggest that constituents are being housed in the processing center for prolonged periods of time without access to their medication, to legal counsel, or even basic necessities. Let me be very clear. Just because something isn't named a detention facility doesn't mean this administration isn't going to use it as one. If people are detained there, it is a detention facility, period. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I came to the ICE Processing Center in Broadview to fulfill my congressional oversight authority granted under appropriation laws. Under the law, Members of Congress have the authority to enter any facility operated by the Department of Homeland Security used to detain people. Whether the facility is formally identified as a detention facility is irrelevant. The operational capacity of agents and staff at the facility is also irrelevant when it comes to allowing access to Members of Congress. It is the role of Congress to provide oversight. Let me say that loud and clear for any of my colleagues that are here and that perhaps have forgotten that. It is the role of Congress to provide oversight. I suggest Kristi Noem and DHS staff read section 527(a) of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2024, which is Public Law 118-47. Am I shocked? Let me be honest. I am not shocked. We were illegally denied entry. While we weren't surprised, it was pretty disrespectful for Members of Congress to not be able to do their job. I want my colleagues to visualize this. There are four Members of Congress, all of them showing their ID. In addition to wearing their congressional pins, they are identifying themselves. We ring the doorbell, and we are waiting for about 45 minutes. We wait to gain entry into the facility where no one comes to the door at any given time. No one responds through the intercom. The cameras demonstrate someone is watching us. We are waiting there to do the job that we were called to do by law which is to conduct unannounced oversight. When we finally get acknowledged--which, by the way, it meant I saw unmarked cars going in and out of the side gate--as we walked through, we were talking to someone who was unwilling to identify themselves through a little hole through the gate. He refused to identify himself. When we told him we were there, do you know what he said, Mr. Speaker? ``Given guidance by my superiors, I am told that you should send an e-mail to DHS.gov.'' He told four Members of Congress, including a Member of Congress who is the Member of Congress in that jurisdiction of where that holding center is: ``Just send an email.'' Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure that people understand. We have sent emails, and we have sent letters. I want to make sure that the American people understand what is happening to us. We have sent emails, and we have sent letters. We have challenged the illegal, unconstitutional actions of this authoritarian government, and we have not received any responses. It is our job as Members of Congress to provide accountability and oversight of activities of the executive branch. Activities that, by the way, this Chamber right here funds through appropriations. Activities that we authorize, or do not, through lawmaking, which is our constitutional role. My favorite part of our interaction that day--1\1/2\ hours of our time outside waiting to be seen--was the sign that staff from the holding center placed on the door which reflects ICE's formal response to our visit. Mr. Speaker, let me tell you what the sign said: ``ICE field offices are not detention facilities and fall outside of the section 527 requirements. ``When planning to visit an ICE facility, ICE asks for requests to be submitted at least 72 hours in advance. Visit requests should be submitted during business hours to the Office of Congressional Relations, (OCR) at CongresstoICE@ice.dhs.gov. Visit requests are not considered actionable until receipt of the request is acknowledged by OCR to the requestor. ``ICE does not house aliens at these locations, rather these are working offices where ERO personnel process aliens to make custody determinations based on the specific circumstances of each case. Aliens determined to require detention are transferred to an ICE detention facility pending removal or the outcome of their removal proceedings. Due to our high operations tempo, we are not facilitating any visits to ICE field offices or suboffices at this time.'' Mr. Speaker, is that unbelievable? Maybe it is. Actually, it is believable because given Noem's disregard for Congress and the rule of law, this is what they do. Mr. Speaker, do you know who makes the laws that govern the DHS facilities? Do you know who makes the laws, Mr. Speaker? It is Congress. Mr. Speaker, do you know who doesn't get to just change the rules when they decide? It is DHS. Mr. Speaker, do you know what is not a valid consideration for denying illegally required oversight? Your operations tempo. You see, Mr. Speaker, as a result of our visit and the visits of Members that they have conducted in New Jersey, California, New York, and Illinois last week, ICE issued new guidance that unlawfully restricts Members of Congress to access ICE facilities. Mr. Speaker, you heard me right. They decided that they were going to issue new guidance to go above Congress and further put a policy in place that is against the law. Two days ago, Ranking Member Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, Subcommittee Ranking Member Lou Correa, and subcommittee Ranking Member Pramila Jayapal, affirmed that Kristi Noem, DHS, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are illegally obstructing congressional oversight by denying Members of Congress access to multiple facilities used to detain immigrants in recent weeks. Tonight, over the next 45 minutes or so, I will be here with my colleagues talking to the American people about what is happening, and what we are hearing directly from them. My colleagues and I will discuss how we will continue to assert congressional authority, even if Kristi Noem, even if Stephen Miller, and even if RFK and everyone else in that Cabinet attempts to obstruct us from doing our congressional work of congressional authority and legislative action. I will yield to my colleagues who will share how they have attempted to provide oversight despite this hostile administration's lack of respect for Congress as a coequal branch of government and how we are actively defending our communities against this authoritarian agenda. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter).

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressman for his comments. That is democracy. Today we are talking about how we preserve democracy under the circumstances that we are living in. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman) to say a little bit more about that today.

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congresswoman for her leadership, for her integrity, and for her principled leadership in times such as this. We are so grateful for her. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) to talk a little bit more about the work that we have to do, and frankly, to remind us that this Chamber, this House of Representatives that we call the people's House is a coequal branch of government.

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressman for his words. Mr. Speaker, I don't know about Congressman Johnson, but perhaps in Georgia or in other parts of the country this may be happening. I have not met a constituent who has told me, ``Congresswoman Ramirez, I wake up in the morning asking how my life could be better,'' and then answer that immediately by saying, ``Do you know how my life would be better? If the President of the United States of America had a $450 million new plane that had been donated from a foreign country.'' I have never heard a constituent tell me when I have asked them what the most important thing is for them right now: ``Do you know what the most important thing is for me? It is for Kristi Noem to get $50 million more in the budget. By the way, cut my Medicaid, groceries, and SNAP benefits because what I really want is for this person who was never elected to get an upgrade on a plane. Make sure that you dedicate $50 million of taxpayer dollars so that she can have a brand-new plane so that she can cosplay wherever the hell she is going.'' I have never heard that. I hear the gentleman. I am curious. What Members of Congress have heard from their constituents--perhaps in Louisiana or other parts of the country--that what they care most about is that we cut their healthcare and cut SNAP benefits and that we make it harder for them to age in place or retire with dignity because their number one priority is to take their taxpayer dollars to ensure that the President becomes even richer and that she gets more costumes to wear around the country? Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his work and courageous leadership. Something the gentleman said was that our constituents didn't send us here to make sure that the rich get richer. Our constituents didn't send us here so that the President can become even richer by selling off coins or offering people to be able to come to the White House, which taxpayers pay for, and have dinner with him if they invest more on his coins. Our constituents said: ``The rent is too darn high. I can't buy a house. I have to choose between going to the doctor and buying groceries. I don't know if I could afford the car payment and tuition for my son or daughter in college. This darn job I have, it is so difficult to make sure that I can cover the costs, so I have to work a second job. What are you going to do about it?'' That is why I am so grateful that we are here having a conversation about what the job of Members of Congress is: to make the lives of their constituents better. It is not to make Donald Trump's life better, not to make Kristi Noem's life better or richer, but to make their lives better. One of the other things that we should be doing as Members of Congress is affirming that we are a coequal branch of government, the thing that I ask eighth graders about in their Constitution tests all around the country. Part of that work is oversight, but it is ridiculous and infuriating to me that my Republican colleagues, who continue to obstruct oversight every chance that the majority can, don't seem to agree. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle seem to think that who got them elected, who they serve, that the only people who matter are not the 730,000 constituents that they have but Donald Trump, Stephen Miller, and Elon Musk, as long as he and Donald Trump are getting along and paying for elections. Congress' power is critical in this moment. Congressman Johnson said it so beautifully. We have to do everything in our power to ensure that our constituents know who we are here for. Otherwise, we can't be the people's House. Congress' powers are established to be a check on an out-of-control, lawless executive branch like the Trump administration. For instance, when the executive branch decides to use a notorious offshore prison with a history of gross human rights violations as a staging location for mass deportations without due process and in violation of international law, I thought that would be an ideal time for Congress to conduct oversight. It is why I requested that the Committee on Homeland Security, that some of us here serve on, would conduct an official oversight visit to CECOT. I was of the opinion that a congressional delegation needed to urgently go to CECOT in El Salvador and check on the health and well- being of all the political prisoners who we have sent to that heinous place. My Republican colleagues disagreed, and Chairman Mark Green said that my official request to conduct oversight in my capacity as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability was ``to virtue signal to [my] radical base.'' At least he responded to that one. When I asked him to conduct oversight of Guantanamo, after the first flights to Guantanamo separated undocumented immigrants from the protections of our Constitution and their due process, and even amidst the reports that the U.S. was spending more than $40 million of taxpayer money holding migrants in Guantanamo, in that case, I was just ignored. I didn't expect much more. Republicans in Congress have repeatedly given up their power. I don't know why. They got elected by the people to represent the people, but they are just rolling out the red carpet for Trump's authoritarian regime. Republicans in Congress have allowed Trump to literally walk all over them. They are enabling a massive expansion in Presidential power and completely surrendering the power and authority of Congress. If they don't want to actually assert their authority as a coequal branch, then why are you here? In allowing the administration to rescind funds, freeze funds, and cancel grants and contracts that were duly appropriated by Congress, Republicans have given Trump the power of the purse. But the power of the purse is Congress' power. It is our job. It is what we were sent to administer for the people. They have abandoned a critical check and balance. Republicans have become the enablers of Trump's authoritarian power grab, and you don't have to look farther than the Speaker of the House. He was quoted yesterday saying: ``Many respected constitutional experts argue that the War Powers Act is itself unconstitutional. ``I'm persuaded by that argument. They think it's a violation of the Article II Powers of the Commander in Chief. I think that's right.'' That is the leader of Congress saying that Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which gives Congress the constitutional authority to declare war, is a violation of Article II Powers of the President. That tells you all you need to know. Mike Johnson is more loyal to the President than he is to the separation of powers. He is more loyal to the administration's authoritarian agenda than he is to the Constitution. He is certainly more loyal to this President than his constituents who depend on Medicaid and Social Security for their daily life needs. We will remind them that Congress has a job to do and that we will not concede the power of the people. I ask my colleagues, again: Why did you come here? They made a lot of campaign promises. Perhaps while you are campaigning you actually listen to some people. Perhaps what they heard from people was, we are tired of a government that doesn't deliver to the people. Make my life better, not worse. Yet, somehow, we are waiting for a Senate bill, this big, ugly bill, as if it couldn't get any uglier, that would actually slash more resources from the very same people that sent us here instead of making their life better. Mr. Speaker, we have to ask ourselves in this moment what role are we playing and who are we here for? Did we take an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States of America or not? Is our loyalty to the values of this country and the people that sent us here? I hope it is not to super-PACs, but rather the people, our constituents. Or is it doing whatever Donald Trump tells you to do? This is a critical moment in U.S. history. I will highlight, as I wrap up my Special Order hour, a few people that despite the darkness, despite the stoking of fear that you see happening throughout the country, continue to demonstrate who we are and who we should be as a Nation. I will start by recognizing someone who I believe to be a leader in the community. He is someone who I know stands up by defending our neighbors. He is someone who recognizes that fear does not create unity and love. Fear creates division. As we reflect on what it means to stand up to authoritarianism by defending our neighbors, our neighborhoods, and our culture, I recognize a longtime community leader and a public servant, Billy Ocasio. Billy was born and raised in Humboldt Park in Illinois' Third Congressional District. Billy's leadership over several decades has made a significant impact in Chicago, Illinois, and its local Puerto Rican and immigrant community. A proud product of Chicago Public Schools, Billy graduated from Von Humboldt Elementary School and Roberto Clemente Community Academy. Rooted in the community that raised him, Billy served as the 26th Ward alderman for 16 years, from 1993 to 2009, where he championed major infrastructure and community development projects, including the creation of Division Street's signature Puerto Rican flags, the McCormick Tribune YMCA, and Humboldt Parks' first-ever public library branch. Billy's service expanded as he became senior adviser to then-Governor Pat Quinn, as he was appointed to work on social justice issues impacting communities across the State of Illinois. Both Billy and his wife, Veronica Ocasio, have lent their talents and time to creating and growing the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, also based in Humboldt Park. In Billy's role as president and CEO, as well as in Veronica's role as director of education and programming, the Ocasios have nurtured the museum to become a locally, nationally, and internationally celebrated institution. Through exhibits, events, oral history sharing, and more, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture does important work to preserve and uplift the rich culture of Puerto Rican traditions and to stand up to gentrification through cultural resistance. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I commend Billy Ocasio for his lifetime of service and commitment to fighting for our communities. At a time when wannabe kings threaten welcoming cities like Chicago, I am inspired by the stories of local residents demonstrating that diversity, that equity, that inclusion which are exactly what make our communities and our country strong. In a time such as this, we need to summon the courage of those who came before us to unapologetically and defiantly defend immigrants from the administration's authoritarian attacks. History presents us with plenty of inspiration. In some cases, it is someone who made it possible for the grandparents of so many of my colleagues to be able to serve in this very same Chamber. Today, I honor the legacy of Sister Frances Xavier Cabrini, better known as Mother Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants, whose life and legacy remind us of the enduring strength and dignity immigrants in America have. Born in 1850 in Lombardy, Italy, Frances Cabrini arrived in the United States in 1889 to New York, at the invitation of Pope Leo XIII, who encouraged her to bring her mission to the growing number of Italian immigrants in the Americas. At the time, Italian Americans were targets of xenophobia, discrimination, and even violence, just like other immigrants living in the United States at the time and today. Italians were wrongfully seen as unable to assimilate, dangerous, and a threat to the American way of life, language which is also, unfortunately, still familiar today. Yet in the face of this hateful, dehumanizing rhetoric, Mother Cabrini responded not with fear or hatred--what our President wants-- but with bold, unwavering love and compassion. As the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she built a movement grounded in hope, service, faith, and fierce love for those under attack by those in positions of power. Under her leadership, the Sisters established more than 60 schools, hospitals, and orphanages, many of them serving newly arriving immigrants, the sick, and the poor. In 1909, Mother Cabrini became a naturalized citizen of the United States. She believed in the promise of this Nation--not as an abstract ideal, but as a place where those seeking refuge and opportunity could find dignity, community, and purpose. At a time when her own community, the Italian community, was under attack, she chose to claim her place in this country, not as an outsider, but as a full participant in shaping its future. Her naturalization is particularly worth reflecting on today, when President Trump seeks to roll back the hard-won rights of immigrants, especially the right to birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed under the 14th Amendment of our Constitution. President Trump has repeatedly questioned this right, threatening to unravel one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy: that all who are born here belong here. In 1946, Mother Cabrini was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XII, becoming the first American to be beatified by the Catholic Church. She is now recognized as the patron saint of immigrants, a title that honors her tireless advocacy for all those who migrate and her unwavering belief in the sacred dignity of every single human life. In Chicago, many know her from the former Cabrini-Green public housing development, which stood as a symbol both of the challenges of poverty and segregation, and of the enduring hope of working families seeking a better life. Her name endures in our memory because her legacy endures. As we close out Immigrant Heritage Month, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini challenges us to stand up to those in power who would seek to divide us and pit us against our own neighbors. Despite those who seek to use their faith to justify their cruelty, we remember that the Bible itself teaches us that: ``When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as you love yourself.'' For my colleagues who say they read the Bible every day, that is Leviticus 19:33-34. In a time of rising nationalism, expansion of imperialism, and fear, may the example of Sister Cabrini guide us back to fierce, compassionate, inclusive love. May her memory inspire us to build a nation where everyone feels a deep sense of belonging, where every person's humanity is honored, and where we truly love our neighbors as ourselves. May she inspire us to build an empire, as she says, of hope, solidarity, and compassion. As I close, I am reminded of the words of Mother Cabrini. I thank all of my colleagues who have joined today's Special Order on Holding Power Accountable: Congressional Oversight against Trump's Authoritarianism. Members of Congress are actively defending our communities against this agenda, and we will continue to show up. To the constituents who are worried about their Medicaid, to the constituents who are worried about their neighbors, to the constituents who are asking themselves: How can the President say one thing and do the other? How can he talk about peace and go start a war? How can he say that he is a Christian and hate his neighbors? I want you to know that not all Members of Congress here are the same. Some of us have the courage, the ability, and the willingness to defend our communities, regardless of their legal status, regardless of who they love, regardless of their financial status. We believe in due process. We believe in the rule of law and the Constitution, and I think that some of my colleagues on the other side took an oath saying that they believe in it, too. We believe in our democracy and checks and balances and accountability. We believe that undermining our laws and processes make all of us less safe. We continue to demand that this administration allow us to exercise our right to oversight in all of its forms. I ask my colleagues, as I wrap up, the question that I asked before: Why did you come here? Why are you here? Why do you leave your family every Monday or Tuesday to get on a flight and be here for 4 to 5 days? What will your legacy be? What will your grandchildren say about what you did in this place? I know what Mother Cabrini did in a time where Italians were treated as less than human. She stood up for them. She made it possible so that your grandparents and your great-grandparents could be able to give your parents and your families the life that they deserve so that you can serve here in Congress with me. What will your legacy be? If you are wondering why constituents don't believe in government, it is because we say one thing, and then harm them. I believe that this is a moment where we can choose to love, to choose compassion, to choose unity over hate, over darkness, or over using Truth Social to demean and degrade other people because we don't agree with them. I say to you that as long as Members of Congress, like Congressmen Johnson, Takano, Watson Coleman, Carter, and I are here, we continue to demand that this administration honor due process, that we continue to do congressional oversight--especially in ICE facilities and detention centers, and that we ensure that people being held there are treated humanly, with dignity and respect. We are not alone. The American people will continue to protest for their rights. The American people will continue to show up. The American people will continue to demand more of us, not less of us. They will continue to demand that we protect and expand democracy, not suppress voters. We say and continue to say that it is our responsibility for such a time as this to be reminded why we decided to come to the people's House, and who we represent and who we serve because I do not represent or serve at the pleasure of Donald Trump. I serve and represent 730,000 people in the Chicago area, and I will fight for them every single day and the democracy that we all took an oath to protect and serve. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.