Delia Ramirez

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to uplift Black History Month by celebrating my constituent, a lifelong teacher and a local historian in DuPage County, Ms. Glennette Tilley Turner. For decades, Ms. Turner has dedicated herself to preserving the stories of the Black resistance and of the multiracial coalitions that struggle against injustice. Moving to Wheaton in 1968, Turner researched and studied DuPage County's history and participation in the Underground Railroad, an organized network led by formerly enslaved African Americans resisting American chattel slavery. In 1978, Ms. Turner published her first book, ``The Underground Railroad in DuPage County, Illinois.'' In it, she reminds us that, in the past, our country has faced moments that tested our courage and integrity and that, in those moments, we need brave leaders to step up and resist injustice. May we remember that historians like Ms. Turner will one day document how we stood up in this precise moment. So, on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I commend Glennette Tilley Turner for her remarkable service as an educator, a powerful historian, and a cultural steward. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Turner. Her contributions have been entered into the Congressional Record.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor Rich Kohng, assistant vice president for civic engagement at Illinois Third's own North Park University, for his lifelong commitment to civic justice and civil rights. Rich's parents, Roy and Susan, came to the United States as refugees of the Korean war and arrived in Chicago after immigration quotas were removed after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Inspired by his family's commitment to their faith and service, Rich obtained his master's in divinity and began his career at North Park University by coordinating their urban ministry program. Nearly 15 years later, through his leadership at the Center for Civic Engagement, Rich exemplifies the transformative power of education to promote civic engagement and foster stronger, more connected communities. Through initiatives like the Catalyst program, Rich has created opportunities for students to engage deeply in Chicago and with Chicago residents, learning directly from local leaders of color and working collaboratively to address pressing social issues. Rich's work reminds us that when our universities invest in civic engagement, they not only shape the next generation of leaders, but they are strengthening the fabric of our very own communities. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I commend Rich Kohng for his commitment to promoting civic engagement, his leadership at North Park University, and his dedication to live out his faith through public service. Honoring Laura Avila-Peterson

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated educator and my constituent from Bensenville, Illinois, Laura Avila-Peterson. Laura's commitment to fostering civic engagement ensures that her students are prepared to be active, informed participants in our democracy. Laura is an experienced high school educator specializing in bilingual social studies and supporting English language learners at Fenton High School. Over the past 5 years, she has taught grades 9 through 12, fostering inclusive environments that celebrate the diverse backgrounds of the students that she serves. Her dedication to supporting English language learners is evident in her tailored approach to teaching. I recently had the privilege of meeting Laura and speaking with her bilingual civics class at Fenton High School. Together, we talked about how we build a multiracial democracy and the importance of uplifting students as they engage in civic life, particularly by creating multilingual spaces, regardless of their immigration status, for them to be able to talk about what they see in the news, how they experience it, and how they belong in this country. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I commend Laura Avila-Peterson for her dedication to education and her invaluable contributions to shaping the next generation of leaders. Honoring Jose ``Cha Cha'' Jimenez and Rainbow Coalition Legacy

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and the legacy of Jose ``Cha Cha'' Jimenez, a beloved community organizer and activist, founder of the Young Lords, and one of the architects behind Chicago's original Rainbow Coalition. To this day, the Rainbow Coalition is remembered as a powerful model of multiracial unity and solidarity that continues to inspire all of us. Cha Cha was born in Puerto Rico and eventually moved with his family to Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood in the midst of the city's planned urban renewal. Today, we would call it gentrification. Cha Cha and his peers faced housing and educational discrimination and harassment at the hands of the police and were motivated to create the Young Lords street organization to protect themselves and their Puerto Rican neighbors. Under Cha Cha's leadership, the Young Lords evolved into a political organization that hosted free breakfast programs for children, free community medical clinics, and other projects of survival. Through his work, he connected with other activists organizing in their own low- income communities across the city. On April 4, 1969, Cha Cha co-led an effort to form the Rainbow Coalition, an anti-racist, multiracial, working-class movement uniting the largely Puerto Rican Young Lords in Lincoln Park, the Black Panther Party on Chicago's South and West Sides, and the Young Patriots representing poor Appalachian Whites in the Uptown neighborhood. These organizations connected after beginning to understand the shared conditions they were facing had more commonality than division, particularly in their largely poor neighborhoods. Cha Cha, Fred Hampton of the Black Panthers, and William ``Preacherman'' Fesperman of the Young Patriots helped their organizations overcome their differences and understand the potential in collaborating to organize their working-class communities. Together, the Rainbow Coalition united these three organizations to cooperate on projects of survival and demonstrate solidarity at each other's protests and pickets across the city. In memory of Cha Cha's passing and in honor of his contributions to uniting our community, I commend him and the leaders of the original Rainbow Coalition. May their legacy be a powerful reminder that we are, in fact, stronger together.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to keep myself composed when I hear people speak their hypocrisies that actually generate profits for them when they talk the way they do and then also use the word ``God'' somehow in their speech. Let me say this: We cannot realize justice by engaging in grave injustice. We cannot achieve safety by putting millions in harm's way. We cannot honor our ideals that we talk so much about in this place by undermining civil rights. Preemptively jailing people is not accountability. It is inhumanity. Mandatory, indefinite detention based not on charges or convictions, but on accusations, that is the tool of dictators, not democracies. Let me be clear that Laken Riley's death is a tragedy, and we have work to do to protect women and make our communities safer. We should be bringing bills like Break the Cycle of Violence Act to the floor. We could perhaps have a discharge petition and do it right now. Let's remember that undocumented immigrants didn't make college unaffordable. They didn't destroy our environment. They didn't deny insurance claims. They didn't raise our rents. Scapegoating immigrants just deflects the accountability from the corporations and from the billionaires and bosses profiting from everyday American hardships. That is what this is all about. It is about ending due process so that they can profit. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor a powerful force in the fight for justice, equality, and true democracy, the Illinois Poor People's Campaign. In one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the Poor People's Campaign dares to believe that poverty can be eradicated. Their work continues the legacy and vision of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., building a multiracial movement to end poverty, centering the voices of those with lived experiences of poverty, and breaking down barriers to full democratic participation. The Illinois Poor People's Campaign understands that democracy is too precious and too significant to leave in the hands of those who would prioritize the interests of the ultrawealthy corporations. I especially recognize the Illinois Poor People's Campaign members and constituents of Illinois' Third District, Sheilah Garland-Olaniran, Joyce Brody, and Lenny Brody. Additionally, I recognize Illinois PPC Tri-Chairs Carlos Rodriguez, Jessica Motsinger, and Reverend Susan Phillips. Their unwavering commitment to all of us all over the country is inspiring and should encourage us to also live a life of this kind of dedication. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I commend the Illinois Poor People's Campaign for their relentless fight for justice and equality and their efforts to ensure every person has a say in our democracy. I thank all of its members. Honoring Pastor Emma Lozano

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pastora Emma Lozano of the United Lincoln Methodist Church in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Born in Texas and later making Chicago her home, Pastor Lozano's lifelong commitment to advocacy has left an undeniable mark on our communities and our Nation. Her journey as an advocate started at Centro de Accion Social Autonomo, where she and her brother, Rudy Lozano, championed immigrant worker rights. After her brother's tragic assassination in 1983, Pastor Lozano carried his legacy forward, channeling her grief into action and dedicating herself to the causes they both held dear. In 1987, she founded Centro Sin Fronteras, a grassroots organization that has empowered undocumented families, addressing critical issues such as overcrowded schools, housing insecurity, police brutality, and bilingual education. In 2006, Pastor Lozano and her late husband, Reverend Walter ``Slim'' Coleman, sparked a nationwide movement for our shared humanity when they offered their church in my district, Adalberto United Methodist Church, as a sanctuary for a woman who was undocumented and in need of sanctuary, Elvira Arellano, and her son, Saul. Emma's courage, faith, and tireless work remind us of the power of community and the enduring fight for dignity and equality. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I thank her for her compassion. I thank her for her dedication to creating a more just, more compassionate world. May this Congress learn from her--from her dedication, from her courage--and may it truly be what it says it is, the people's House, reminded of our roots and reminded of our shared humanity. I congratulate Pastor Emma Lozano.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Nadler for yielding. We are in the people's House, and we often say that democracy is built on checks and balances, but my Republican colleagues seem to have no respect for the fundamental separation of powers. H.R. 115 is a bald-faced attempt to expand the power of Congress in order to abuse the power of Congress. Let me say that again: H.R. 115 attempts to expand the power of Congress so that it can then abuse the power of Congress. While a process to address specific agency rules may have been finalized in the late hours of an outgoing administration, there are already systems in place to address it. Republicans want to have the power to go back 60 legislative days-- think about that; that can take us as far as May--and bundle dozens or even hundreds of agency rules into one single resolution. Then, they want to go as far as forbidding the agency from issuing any rules that are substantially the same in the future. We are seeing today exactly what Republicans plan to do in the next 2 years. While leading the most unproductive Congress in U.S. history, they also want to expand their power so when they do take action, when they finally take action, they can inflict the maximum damage on rules and policies that benefit working people, working Americans. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I would like to offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an amendment to this bill to send the bill back to the Judiciary Committee and exclude any rule that was noticed more than 6 months prior to when the rule was finalized. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of this amendment into the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, as we get close to the end of the 118th Congress, my first term representing the greatly diverse Illinois Third Congressional District, I rise in full gratitude for all of those who have supported me and held me during these not-so-easy two years in what we call the People's House. And we've heard that it takes a village to represent, to fight, and to deliver for our communities. But recently, 219 members of this body opted to persecute the village, passing a bill that puts all of civil society at risk. They took that action at the precise moment we should be uplifting and celebrating civil society as the first and most resilient line of defense for many vulnerable communities. Without a robust civil society, countries can descend into instability, their governments becoming prone to authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and the erosion of democratic freedoms. So, while some of my colleagues came to the floor to do harm to civil society, I have come to the floor to commend the countless nonprofit organizations, faith communities, schools and universities, advocacy groups, and cultural institutions that compose the powerful civil society of Illinois' 3rd Congressional District. Since my time as the executive director of a nonprofit in Chicago, I have seen community organizations nurture and sustain a healthy democracy by providing life-saving services including housing and warm meals--while holding those in power accountable. It is clear that strengthening, repairing, and defending our democracy is not solely the work of government. It requires the fabric of our communities, civil society organizations, weaving their work together on the frontlines to protect, defend, and enrich our communities and our neighborhoods. So today, I am grateful for faith communities like the member institutions of the Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance and DuPage United; for community organizations like Onward Neighborhood House, La Casa Norte, and Habitat for Humanity DuPage; for schools and universities like Northeastern University El Centro and North Park University; for early childhood centers like EduCare DuPage and Chicago Commons; for human rights advocates like Palenque LSNA and AFIRE; for cultural organizations like the National Veterans Art Museum and the Mexican Cultural Center of DuPage. There are too many strong civil society organizations to name. I thank the many, many civil service organizations across IL-03. Gracias. I appreciate the opportunities and possibilities they create for our neighbors--independent of their zip code, citizenship status, or past actions--and the way they keep me rooted in a community ready to fight like hell for our neighbors. As I celebrate the work of our civil society, I also want to uplift the team that puts in the long hours; that makes so many sacrifices for the people of IL-03; and who is seldomly mentioned, seldomly seen in public. And that is my staff. My staff, who despite the challenges of this Congress and despite a Congress that oftentimes negates the humanity of their own family, has used their professional and lived experiences to introduce and champion transformative and progressive legislation, has pushed the government to work for our constituents and deliver resources back to Illinois Third, and has ensured our neighbors receive the lifesaving services that they deserve. I thank my entire team: Ellen Meredith Ray, Luis Miguel Carrizales Castillo, Claudia Dolores Peralta, Karsen Patrick Bailey, Deepa Pinakin Patel, Noemi Avelar, Jowen Halber Ortiz Cintron, Marina Kristine Sangit, Daniela A. Guerrero Diaz, Valeria Nicolle Metzgen Castro, Katherine Gitsel Carranza Bahena, Jennifer Ho, Nataly Miranda- Castaneda, Vianey Luna Lopez, Micaela Unzueta, Magda Karina Herron, Levi Casmir Iseminger Todd, and Rogelio Elizondo-Juarez, as well as the countless interns, fellows, and past staffers who have supported our work. I thank them for their time, energy, emotion, and passion they pour into our fight for working people. They are seen. They are appreciated. I am so proud of the work we have begun together in this term and will continue in the next. Through gratitude, I find hope. Because both the community at home and the team I have here in Congress have reminded me that in uncertain times, one thing is certain--our communities are prepared to organize, to protect each other, and to unite no matter what the next four years bring us. I am forever grateful. And I am ready.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sister Marta Cichon, a woman who has profoundly transformed the lives of Polish immigrant families and uplifted single mothers in Illinois. Born in Zabkowice, Poland, Sister Marta's duty to humanity led her across the globe, serving in Australia before arriving in the United States in 2000. Here, she recognized a pressing need to support mothers and their children who were vulnerable to homelessness, hunger, and lack of assistance. Ultimately, she established the Single Mothers Home in 2008. The Single Mothers Home offers essential services, from legal assistance to mental health support, empowering women to rebuild their lives. For nearly 15 years, Sister Marta has provided refuge, hope, and a path to independence for over 140 mothers and 180 children, including those who have experienced domestic violence. To this day, these families maintain a close bond with Sister Marta, who considers them family. I commend Sister Marta for her compassion, her resilience, and her unwavering service to our community. Thank you (Dziekuje), Sister Marta. Panie MARSZALKU. Zabieram dzis glos, aby oddac czesc siostrze Marcie Cichon, kobiecie, ktora gleboko zmienila zycie rodzin polskich imigrantow i podniosla na duchu samotne matki w Illinois. Siostra Marta, urodzona w Zabkowicach, w Polsce, dzieki swojej powinnosci wobec ludzkosci podrozowala po calym swiecie, sluzac w Australii, zanim w 2000 roku przybyla do Stanow Zjednoczonych. Dostrzegla tam pilna potrzebe wsparcia matek i ich dzieci, ktore byly zagrozone bezdomnoscia, glodem i brakiem pomocy. Ostatecznie w 2008 roku zalozyla Dom Samotnej Matki. Dom Samotnej Matki oferuje podstawowe uslugi, od pomocy prawnej po wsparcie w zakresie zdrowia psychicznego, umozliwiajac kobietom odbudowanie swojego zycia. Siostra Marta przez blisko 15 lat dawala schronienie, nadzieje i droge do samodzielnosci ponad 140 matkom i 180 dzieciom, w tym tym, ktore doswiadczyly przemocy domowej. Do dzis te rodziny utrzymuja bliska wiez z Siostra Marta, ktora uwaza je za rodzine. Chwale Siostre Marte za jej milosierdzie, odpornosc i niezachwiana sluzbe dla naszej spo5ecznosci. Dziekuje Siostro Marto.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I address the people's House to honor the legacy of my friends, of my colleagues, and partners in the fight for justice and global peace, Congresswoman Cori Bush and Congressman Jamaal Bowman. Bush and Bowman are the embodiment of courageous leadership. Representative Bush is a fighter for peoples' right to a dignified life. In the middle of the pandemic, when people were trying to figure out how to stay alive and how to continue to have a roof over their head, this courageous leader, as the eviction moratorium was about to expire said: I can't go home if others will not have a home tomorrow. She stood on these Capitol steps courageously taking a stand for hundreds of thousands of families across this country. What she didn't know was that a little State representative from Chicago, Illinois, was watching what she and others were doing, as I was trying to concurrently negotiate legislation in the State of Illinois to help people stay housed. Mr. Speaker, Cori Bush will never know the number of people and families and children that she has saved because of her courageous leadership. She has enshrined the rights of women. She has promoted safety, well-being, and prosperity in our communities. Representative Jamaal Bowman, a lifelong educator and an advocate of opportunity, accountability, and racial justice, has fought day and night and continues to fight day and night for accessible, culturally competent education for every single student in this country. Mr. Speaker, while dark money in politics may have stripped this Chamber of two of its most authentic champions of working people, let me be very clear: They will not be silenced. I know them too well. Bowman and Bush, in or out of the Halls of Congress, will continue fighting like heaven and hell for our shared humanity because our work, it is not finished. This ``Congresswoman,'' ``Congresista'' from Chicago, who has watched all of them with pride and honor, will continue in this Chamber and will continue working with them also outside of this Chamber and is ready to fight with them for humanity, not just in the United States, but globally. Mr. Speaker, I end by saying, it has been the greatest honor of my life the last 2 years to serve with them. May their courage and their love for people be felt in every seat of this Chamber. Every single moment we enter it, we are asking ourselves--perhaps physically they are not sitting in the second back row here--but what would Cori and Jamaal do in this moment? And what Cori and Jamaal would do in every single moment is to stand for the people that others have forgotten about. I thank them, and I look forward to the many things we will do together.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Albany Park Theater Project, a gem of Illinois' Third Congressional District, and to recognize their production of ``Port of Entry,'' which reminds us all of an important lesson. The story of our Nation wouldn't be complete without the sweat, without the tears, without the joy, and without the dreams and hopes of so many immigrants and children of immigrants. They are the same stories that brought so many of us here to Congress. Located in the heart of Albany Park, one of the most diverse immigrant communities in the Nation, the Albany Park Theater Project has long been a beacon of creativity, resilience, and hope. Through the power of storytelling and theater, this organization prepares and propels young people in Illinois' Third Congressional District to lead civically engaged and choice-filled lives. Together, their team ensemble members and adult artists make world- class, award-winning, original theater that amplifies and illuminates the voices of immigrants and refugees, showcasing their struggles, triumphs, pain, and enduring humanity. My husband, Boris, and I were fortunate to experience the production of ``Port of Entry'' together, and it was more than a performance. It was a profound journey in the daily lives of immigrant families from all over the world living in Albany Park. As a ``proud,'' ``orgulloso,'' daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, I know firsthand how important it is for immigrant stories to be told authentically and celebrated unapologetically. ``Port of Entry,'' a collaboration with Third Rail Projects, takes audiences into a theater production set in a typical Chicago apartment building. Audience members of ``Port of Entry'' are part of an immersive experience of the intimate lives of neighbors from Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, and beyond. Audience members share in the lived experiences and stories of immigrant families, celebrating their resilience, amplifying their voices, and showcasing the invaluable contributions they make to our communities. The cast is made up of talented young people from our community who brilliantly invite us to reflect on what it means to call a place home and what it means to find belonging and to build a future in the face of challenge. It invites us to wonder what makes the United States of America. The production is a culmination of years of work involving over 300 collaborators, including youth performers, storytellers, and creators. It is a testament to the theater company's 27-year-old commitment to using the arts to empower young people in bringing our community together. Albany Park and our Nation have always been a port of entry for many families seeking new beginnings, whether through the southern border, like my mom, or welcomed by the ``Mother of Exiles,'' the Statue of Liberty, like many of the ancestors of the Members of this very same body. Today, at a time when Members of this Chamber and the incoming administration are threatening to tear our communities apart and would question who gets to be American and who doesn't, this play feels so timely and vital. I thank the Albany Park Theater Project and Debbie Reznick, one of the founding directors, for reminding us of the power of storytelling to inspire empathy and connection. I thank them for showing us that theater is not just for entertainment, but it is a vehicle for change and a celebration of the human spirit. I am so proud to represent this community. I am even prouder to be the daughter of immigrants. Their work reflects the very best of our district and our Nation.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, as we get close to the end of the 118th Congress, my first term representing the greatly diverse Illinois Third Congressional District, I rise in full gratitude for all of those who have supported me and held me during these not-so-easy 2 years in what we call the people's House. We have heard that it takes a village to represent, to fight, and to deliver for our communities. However, recently, 219 Members of this body opted to persecute the village, passing a bill that puts all of civil society at risk. They took that action at the precise moment we should be uplifting and celebrating civil society as the first and most resilient line of defense for many vulnerable communities. Without a robust civil society, countries can descend into instability, their governments becoming more prone to authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and the erosion of democratic freedoms. While some of my colleagues came to the floor to do harm to civil society, I have come to the floor to commend the countless nonprofit organizations, faith communities, schools and universities, advocacy groups, and cultural institutions that compose the powerful civil society of Illinois' Third Congressional District. Since my time as the executive director of a nonprofit in Chicago, I have seen community organizations nurture and sustain a healthy democracy by providing lifesaving services, including housing and warm meals while holding those in power accountable. It is clear that strengthening, repairing, and defending our democracy is not solely the work of government. It requires the fabric of our communities, it requires civil organizations who are weaving their work together on the front lines to protect, to defend, and to enrich our communities and our neighborhoods. Today, I am grateful for faith communities like the member institutions of the Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance and DuPage United; for community organizations like Onward Neighborhood House, La Casa Norte, and Habitat for Humanity DuPage; for schools and universities like Northeastern University's El Centro and North Park University; for early childhood centers like Educare DuPage and Chicago Commons; for human rights advocates like Palenque LSNA and AFIRE; for cultural organizations like the National Veterans Art Museum and the Mexican Cultural Center of DuPage. There are too many strong civil society organizations to name. To the many, many civil service organizations across Illinois Third, I want to say, ``thank you,'' ``gracias.'' I appreciate the opportunities and possibilities they create for our neighbors independent of their ZIP Code, independent of their citizenship status or past actions, and the way they keep me rooted in a community ready to fight like hell for our neighbors. As I celebrate the work of civil society, I also want to uplift the team that puts in the long hours, that makes so many sacrifices for the people of Illinois Third, and who are seldom mentioned and seldom seen in public. That team is my staff. My staff, who despite the challenges of this Congress and despite a Congress that oftentimes negates the humanity of their own family, has used their professional and lived experiences to introduce and champion transformative and progressive legislation, has pushed the government to work for our constituents and deliver resources back to Illinois Third, and has ensured our neighbors receive the lifesaving services that they deserve. To my entire team: Ellen, Luis, Claudia, Karsen, Deepa, Noemi, Jowen, Marina, Daniela, Valeria, Kat, Jennifer, Nataly, Vianey, Micaela, Magda, Levi, and Rogelio, as well as the countless interns, fellows, and past staffers who have supported our work, I say thank you. They are seen, they are appreciated, and I am so proud to have worked with them in this first term and as we prepare ourselves for the next. Through gratitude I find hope. Both the community at home and the team I have here in Congress have reminded me that in uncertain times one thing is certain: Our communities are prepared to organize, to protect each other, and to unite no matter what the next 4 years brings us. I am forever grateful and I am ready.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Deluzio for convening this Special Order hour, and I am grateful it is on a topic that I believe is so critical to so many of the conversations that we are having right now. You are talking about babies still impacted. You brought me back to thinking about what it was like for me growing up. I grew up in Humboldt Park in the city of Chicago. I saw my immigrant parents work pretty long hours in minimum wage jobs. My dad worked two jobs, my mom worked two jobs, and somehow she also managed to give a lot of time to her local church. What they couldn't afford was childcare. My mother worked first shift so my dad could work third shift, and they could figure out how to make sure that their kids always had someone at home. That meant that my parents could barely ever see each other. My parents' experience is not very different from the reality of so many others right now. I witnessed the struggles of my community to secure stable housing, to ensure quality education for their children, and to raise a family with the rising cost of living. Let me be very clear: Working people are still struggling. The cost of living in America is too damn high. Too often I hear my constituents, my neighbors talk about having to make a decision: Can I go to the grocery store and buy the eggs and the milk, try to get some spinach, try to get the bread, pay the $2,200 a month for a two-bedroom apartment in Chicago, and then afford my inhaler? Mr. Speaker, oftentimes what ends up happening is that people have to choose between being able to feed their children and their healthcare, feeding their children and an inhaler in one of the richest countries in the whole world. Why is it so hard for us to move a working people's agenda in Congress? You would think there is more of us that come from working class than ever before. Some of us actually understand what it is like to have to help our parents who are probably making $100 too much for Medicaid so they need help covering their healthcare. There are more of us here who are working class, but somehow a working people's agenda in this place doesn't seem to be a priority. We ask ourselves: Why don't the American people trust that we are working for them? Well, let me answer that question. When unchecked corporate power and greed in the marketplace meets unchecked corporate money in politics, well, we have a problem. It is the families in Illinois' Third, Fourth, Fifth, in your own districts, who end up suffering because of it. We know that price gouging, price-fixing, predatory algorithms, and corporate monopolies put profits and production over people. It is why I joined my colleagues in sending a letter, that Congresswoman Jayapal was just talking about, opposing the Kroger-Albertsons merger, because we have to resist the consolidation of corporate power if we are going to protect working people. I am also a proud cosponsor of Congresswoman Omar's Shrinkflation Reduction Act which would enhance price transparency for consumers and combat the deceptive practice of shrinkflation. I go to my local grocery store. I can literally see the difference between what people in my community are paying and what someone else in a community that has four grocery stores pays. They usually pay 25 percent more. We need the kind of accountability that bills like this will bring. Shrinkflation practices hide behind the language of inflation, but we know that actually consumer exploitation is intended to defraud us so corporations can continue to profit, while providing less product. We know how corporations are able to get away with these practices. It is because they use their profits to buy the same exact people who are responsible for holding them accountable. Yes, I said it. Big money in politics, whether poured into elections or directly in the pockets of corrupt public servants, give special interests and corporations outsized influence in our democracy. So when a good bill comes before us, when a good bill comes to the committee, somehow we can't actually debate the bill because it is a good bill. It should pass. These corporations have the power to buy elections and buy elected officials. Our democracy is weaker and our communities suffer when the voices of working families are buried under the influence that millions can buy. We see it too often. It is why we need bills like H.R. 1118, the DISCLOSE Act, to end the scourge of dark money buying our democracy. I am a cosponsor of the act that Representative Pappas introduced because it does a couple of things. It requires super-PACs and dark money groups to disclose donors who have given $10,000 or more during an election cycle. It requires those spending money on ads to disclose their donors. It cracks down on the use of shell corporations to hide the identity of a donor. If you are donating to an elected official or candidate, the public should know who you are. The DISCLOSE Act bill does just that. If our democracy is not for sale, which it shouldn't be for sale, then mega- donors should not be attempting to buy our democracy. It means we have to bring the full power of the Federal Government through regulations, through accountability, and through transparency to fight for working people, for our constituents. It is also why I think it is so important that we are cosponsoring legislation like Congresswoman Jayapal's bill, which is the Stop Corporate Capture Act, H.R. 1507. This bill institutes reforms to rightsize the influence of corporate interests over regulatory process, it increases transparency of government rulemaking decisions, and it establishes a mechanism for the public to hold agencies accountable. We have to do everything possible so that the American people trust that those of us that are in the people's House are actually here for them because the reality is that they don't. They do see us as people who are here to enrich ourselves, people who are here to hear ourselves speak. Working families demand accountability, and they have given us a mandate. They are asking us for bold solutions to economic justice, and it means taking on corporate greed. As we get closer to an administration that has promised to weaken the pillars of our democracy more than ever, I think it is going to be critical that Progressives and every Democrat, frankly, every elected official that is here for working families, get together to unite and address corporate greed. If we don't, we will continue to see what we see now, which is corporations becoming wealthier than wealthy can possibly be, while poor people continue to have to choose between healthcare and feeding their children. I thank Congressman Deluzio for the opportunity to speak today. I thank him for bringing up such an important, critical issue. I look forward to working with him in the next Congress.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Dr. Sania Choudhury Irwin, a trailblazing civic leader from Glen Ellyn devoted to engaging and strengthening her community and our democracy. A respected leader, she works to address the important issues in our country, such as healthcare, education, immigration, press freedom, the impact of money in politics, and so much more. As the vice president of the League of Women Voters of the United States, Sania works to inform constituents, empower voters, and defend our democracy across the country and in Illinois' Third Congressional District. She also leads nonpartisan initiatives to increase voter participation, ensuring that our local communities make their voices heard. As the cofounder of One Community, Dr. Irwin works to advance social justice initiatives in DuPage County, focusing on programs and actions that build community. Her efforts and advocacy have resulted in the formation of a community relations commission in which she serves as the chair, spearheading policies, initiatives, and resources that create a more equitable and more inclusive society for all. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I commend Dr. Irwin for her inspiring leadership, commitment to justice, and unwavering service to our community and our Nation. I thank Dr. Irwin. Honoring Sister Marta Cichon

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sister Marta Cichon, a woman who has profoundly transformed the lives of Polish immigrant families and uplifted single mothers in Illinois. Born in Zabkowice, Poland, Sister Marta's duty to humanity has led her across the globe, serving in Australia before arriving in the United States in 2000. Here, she recognized a pressing need to support mothers and their children who are vulnerable to homelessness, hunger, and the lack of assistance. Ultimately, Sister Marta established a single mothers home in 2008. The single mothers home offers essential services, from legal assistance to mental health support, empowering women to rebuild their lives. For nearly 15 years, Sister Marta has provided refuge, hope, and a path to independence for over 140 mothers and 180 children, including those who have experienced domestic violence. To this day, these families maintain a close bond with Sister Marta, who considers them family. I commend on this day Sister Marta for her compassion, resilience, unwavering community service, and commitment to ensure that all of us are seen. May we be inspired by her. May we be encouraged by her and be reminded that it is our responsibility to serve others. ``Dziekuje'' ``thank you,'' Sister Marta.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, as we talk about the faces of our veterans and the impact and challenges that they are going through at this moment, I am also reminded of so many of them who come back home and continue to provide public service, who continue to show up for their community and for their neighbors and families. As we recommit to fighting for every single veteran, I will take the time to recognize a servicemember in my district, someone who is using her platform to advocate for the care and benefits of those who came before her. Madam Speaker, today, I will honor my constituent, U.S. Army Major Karen Hernandez, who serves our country and our community with dedication and courage. The daughter of Mexican immigrants and a proud first-generation college graduate, Major Hernandez embodies, like the daughters and sons of immigrants, the values of resilience, of integrity, and an enduring commitment to community and to service. Since enlisting in 2008 as a medical service officer for the 108th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, Karen has commanded field hospitals and played a vital role in Illinois' COVID-19 response. In our communities, as the executive director of Chicago Veterans, she helps servicemembers transition back to civilian life. She advocates for them to receive the promised benefits that they earned. Whether it is supporting humanitarian efforts or empowering veterans, Hernandez leads with selflessness and Hernandez leads with courage. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I commend Karen Hernandez for her remarkable service and for her leadership, both in and beyond the military. ``Thank you, Karen.'' ``Gracias, Karen.'' As I wrap up, I thank all of my colleagues who are continuously working and looking past the partisan politics. I especially thank the Progressive Caucus and the Special Order hour because what the American people continue to ask of us is to stop talking at them. What the American people continue to say is, stop promising things. What the American people are saying is, we are tired of your darn fights online because you want to go viral. What the American people are saying is, we need you to move from words to action. Madam Speaker, I will end with this: The future that we seek is possible. Accessible, affordable healthcare is possible. Every person having a safe, clean home is possible. A country where no one goes hungry can be possible. Quality education and jobs that provide living wages, a humane, assured, legal pathway to citizenship, all of this is what our veterans deserve and all of it is what our veterans have earned. It is also what every person who has contributed to this country deserves, and that includes my friends, our neighbors, who for years have served our communities and our economies with the reassurance of permanent protections. I am talking about our Dreamers. Right now, there are 530,000 DACA recipients, approximately 500,000 people eligible for DACA barred from applying, and 80,000 unprocessed applicants who, for years, have lived in a legal limbo, many of them here since the age of 2. These Dreamers are not children anymore. Wesdin Hernandez, my brother-in-law, is not a child. He is actually 40 years old. They work, they provide for their families, and they invest in our economies, contributing at least $2.1 billion to Social Security and Medicare every single year. Today, we must be courageous and exhaust every avenue possible to keep the 11.3 million Americans in DACA-impacted families together and provide a pathway to citizenship and security for Dreamers. Whether through passing the American Dream and Promise Act or through bold executive action, we must honor with action all who have put their lives in service to our Nation and our communities, and those are Dreamers and those are veterans, full stop. As we near the end of the year, I am reminded why I stand on the House floor today. I stand here to amplify the voices of the people in my community who sent me here, to be the only Latina in the room representing veterans who look like they could be my family members, to be the person who lifts as she climbs, to be the person who never forgets where she comes from, to be the person who says proudly, it doesn't matter if one person is impacted or a million, it is the one that I am here fighting for. Our veterans deserve better, and they demand urgency. Our country deserves better, and I refuse to stand down in the face of injustice and hate because I, ``the Congresswoman,'' ``la congresista'' of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I choose to fight for the future we deserve. I choose to fight for a future that is possible. I choose to fight so that our veterans are honored through service and action. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, today, I want to take a moment to remind us why we are here. On my first day of Congress, which feels like so, so many years ago but was about 23 months ago, I made a commitment to represent, advocate, defend, and fight for the people. I made a promise to legislate with a vision for a better future for the constituents of my district. That includes veterans. As a proud member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, my goal continues to be the same: Advance policies that improve the lives of veterans and ensure that they have access to every benefit they have earned and that has been promised to them. However, I continue to be disappointed with so much extreme rhetoric from many of my colleagues to the right of me who choose to put politics over the lives of veterans, effectively watering down the protections and stonewalling progress on bills that would assist them. The Congressional Progressive Caucus and I remain determined to do what is right for our veterans. That means advocating for better access to healthcare, fighting for our veterans experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, and advocating for our women veterans and their unique needs. Above all, when our veterans come home, we ensure they can lead a happy, fulfilling life after service. Madam Speaker, we have delivered. I am proud to say that since Representative Takano's Honoring our PACT Act was signed into law, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA, has delivered more than $6.8 billion in PACT Act benefits to veterans. Over 5.7 million veterans have received new toxic exposure screenings. Over 740,000 new veterans have enrolled in VA healthcare. This means that more veterans are getting the care and benefits they rightfully earned. The success of the PACT Act demonstrates what is possible when Congress prioritizes people over partisan politics, and it shows what can be done for veterans when Congress and agencies work together to deliver for our constituents. Where the Department of Veterans Affairs succeeds also provides us with a broader vision and useful roadmap for what we can achieve for all Americans. The VA provides a basic housing allowance, population- specific healthcare, job assistance and training, and targeted interventions to prevent and address homelessness. I believe that Congress can and should replicate the most promising parts of the VA to ensure the same base level of material and social support for our everyday working families. I believe we can eradicate poverty, prevent and end homelessness, and ensure that no person goes hungry or lives without essential healthcare. It is actually possible for all Americans to lead a happy, fulfilling life and to retire with dignity. It starts with legislating with compassion and a commitment to the flourishing of our neighbors. Despite Republican efforts to stop progress and turn the clock back 100 or more years, let me just say the Congressional Progressive Caucus and I will hold the line. We will defend our veterans. We will ensure they have every single benefit that veterans deserve, and we will honor their service with action. I want to talk about the last 23 months and the work that I have done here in Congress. When I became an elected official, first as a State representative and now in Congress, I made a commitment. That commitment was to remain rooted in the community that I was elected to serve. Since joining the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I have seen how critical it is for veterans and the families of veterans to receive the full benefits of our Nation's promise to them and what they have earned. I am proud to say that during my freshman year--no longer a freshman in a couple of months--I have advocated for and introduced pieces of legislation that expand veteran access to education, healthcare, and housing. Last year, I introduced the Student Veteran Benefits Restoration Act, which would reinstate GI benefits for students who pursued a degree at a college or university that defrauded them. I am proud to say this bill was voted on and passed by the House in April. While the final negotiated bill is more limited in scope than I would have wanted, I do think it represents an ongoing commitment to work to ensure that veterans receive full access to the educational benefits that they have earned. I am committed to building on this momentum and continuing this fight into the 119th Congress. This year, I am proud to have introduced the Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act, with Senator Durbin leading this effort in the Senate. What this bill would do is amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to limit the interest rate on student loans incurred by servicemembers before they go into military service. It will consolidate and refinance it during military service. I was in my district on Veterans Day with veterans and veteran- serving organizations, and I heard how much they need for us to invest in them and address the issues of homelessness. As a matter of fact, I heard that, in the last year, we have seen another increase in homelessness among the veteran community. Madam Speaker, I am proud to announce that I am introducing a new bill to create permanent housing opportunities for our veterans. The bill would expand the services that the grant per diem providers give to include prevention services and also allow for capital grants to be used to convert units into permanent housing. I am eager to work with the committee around the bill introduction, and I am excited to be able to share more details on the bill very soon. I voted to advance critical legislation that will bring solutions to the policy failures that leave our veterans and their families desperate and frustrated. During every hearing and every markup, I remain intentional in my efforts to ensure that we fulfill the promises our Nation has made to our veterans. That work has to continue next Congress. In my opinion, that is how we honor service through action. I want to talk a little bit about healthcare. One of the most pressing issues our veterans face is access to quality healthcare. Healthcare is a basic need that we must deliver for our veterans. Accessible healthcare for veterans shouldn't be considered a privilege but a right for those who have served their country. Expanded health services will allow veterans to receive timely treatments for various medical conditions without having to worry about financial burdens or lengthy waits for appointments. Improved access to mental health services is also critical to address issues such as PTSD and other psychological conditions caused by military service. Expanding healthcare for veterans will also help reduce the long-term costs associated with providing care for aging veterans, ensuring they receive the care they need in later life. Veterans should be provided access to high-quality medical treatment, regardless of economic status or geographic location, so that they can all benefit from high-quality healthcare services without undue financial burden or delays in treatment. To show appreciation and respect for their sacrifice and service to their country, our Nation is responsible for providing vital care for veterans. It is why, during the October recess, I convened veterans. What they have said to me is that the gaps that they continue to experience are unacceptable, gaps like dental care and dental coverage, wait times for physical and mental health appointments, challenges to healthcare enrollment, and a greater need for outreach to underserved veterans. It is why I co-led the Expanding Health Care Providers for Veterans Act with Representative Tlaib, to make it easier for the VA and State veterans homes to hire employees on H-1B visas when they cannot find a suitable applicant in the United States. Specifically, the bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs and State veterans homes as cap-exempt institutions for the purposes of the H-1B visa program. I am also proud to cosponsor numerous bills around veterans healthcare, including the 9-8-8 Implementation Act. Madam Speaker, 988 is the new nationwide suicide prevention line, and the 9-8-8 Implementation Act would offer more Federal support to the crisis line, including resources to veteran-specific departments of the crisis line. Providing quality, accessible healthcare is how we honor our veterans with action. To hear a little bit more about this work that many of us are doing to ensure that our veterans are getting the services they deserve, we will hear from some of my colleagues very soon. Madam Speaker, while we do that, I want to talk to you a little bit more about some of our veterans who currently continue to see so many challenges. I want to make sure that I am clear. I am here to represent all veterans, especially the veterans who are most vulnerable. That means first-generation veterans. That means women veterans. That means veterans of color. That also means veterans who, we don't want to admit, have been deported after having served this country, after nearly dying for this country and experiencing PTSD. They have lost their green cards and, today, are separated from their families. As the evidence has shown, veterans of color have served this country honorably for decades. Due to intentional segregation and racism, they were unable to use the benefits promised to them. That is why I commend my colleague, Congressman Clyburn, for putting forward the VA Housing Loan Forever Act, to do the right thing and restore equity to veterans of color. Similarly, women veterans were locked out of receiving the benefits they earned due to their service not being properly recognized. That is why, when I go back to my district and when I sit in those hearings, I always center the voices of our veterans, particularly those most impacted. As a member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, ensuring that our women in uniform are recognized for their contributions and sacrifices. Having full access to their benefits must be a priority. It is why I was proud to offer and have passed an amendment to the Jax Act out of subcommittee. What does this amendment do? It directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit a report regarding gender disparities and covered claims for traumatic brain injuries and post- traumatic stress disorder, particularly among those who have engaged in combat since 1990. I also want to shed light on an issue that I hold close to my heart, and that is our veterans who are seeking legal pathways to citizenship. You heard me a few moments ago talk about those who have been deported and are now separated from their families after having served their country. To me, it is unimaginable that they are at risk of deportation or have been deported because, despite their service and sacrifice, too many undocumented veterans have faced deportation due to a failed immigration system that does not honor who we say we are as a nation. Now, you ask, how are they serving if they are not a U.S. citizen? You don't have to be a U.S. citizen to die for this Nation. You will get a green card, and you will be able to do that. If you come back to the country you love, the country you call home, and something happens, if there is a fight at a bar, if you are dealing with PTSD and there is something that happens to you, you can immediately lose your green card and be deported. Let me say this to you: As we celebrate our veterans, we must remember those who today find themselves living in exile, separated from their families and often struggling to access the benefits and support they earn through their service. Madam Speaker, it is time to return these veterans home and deliver justice and support. It is why I am proud to cosponsor Representative Takano's Veteran Service Recognition Act, which would allow noncitizen servicemembers to apply for naturalization during basic training, establishing a review process for those who are in removal proceedings, and provide an opportunity for a noncitizen veteran who has been removed or ordered removed and who has not been convicted of a serious crime to obtain legal permanent resident status. Today, I call my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, who say that they care about our veterans to stand with us and to cosponsor this incredibly important piece of legislation because that is how we honor every veterans' service with action for: Sergio Andrade, Jiji Thomas Kurian, Elsworth Alexander Smith, Mark Osmond Isaacs, Gerardo Emiterio Lopez Flores. The time to act is today. In a moment, I will yield to one of my colleagues who every day fights like hell for our veterans, so you can hear directly from them on the work that they are doing. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Chris Deluzio.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman McGovern for holding this Special Order hour to discuss the very real threat nuclear weapons represent to our shared safety and our peace. Mr. Speaker, it has been almost 80 years since the beginning of the nuclear age. Given where we are at this precise moment, the risks posed by nuclear weapons feels real, it feels present, and it feels tangible. Despite warnings from advocates and the United Nations, the threat of nuclear escalation is on the rise. In fact, our Nation's leadership has played an important role in either mitigating or escalating this dangerous reality. What we do and how we lead and what we say to the world will continue to be a crucial factor in the nuclear arms race and war in the years to come. Mr. Speaker, I am tired of saying it, but words matter, and I quote: ``Let it be an arms race. We will outmatch them at every pass and outlast them all.'' That was the incoming President's answer to the question of a possible nuclear war back in 2016. We know that, as our Nation and other States agreed in a 2022 declaration, nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. Despite the claims of warmongers, including our President-elect and the military industrial complex, nuclear weapons are not defensive or an effective strategy for deterrence. The bottom line is nuclear weapons are tools of war, death, and mass destruction. They can't be used without catastrophic humanitarian consequences that violate every single principle of international law and our shared humanity. We are headed in the wrong direction with a trigger-happy President about to take office. Will he renew the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty? Will he ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons? Will he decrease spending on nuclear weapons or decommission our already massive nuclear arsenal? Of course not. When we invest in nuclear proliferation, I want us to remember that we could be providing assistance in our communities. We could be supporting the education of our children. We could be transforming our infrastructure and delivering nutritious meals to families. We could be assisting first-time home buyers. We could be building a quality healthcare system. Mr. Speaker, I can go on and on, and Congressman McGovern would need another five Special Order hours, but what I am saying is that these are life-giving investments in people. Nuclear weapons only bring total annihilation. We must pursue another path forward. We have to pursue a path toward peace, and we can do that together.

Mrs. RAMIREZ

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Hip Hop History Month, I rise to honor Grammy award-winning music producer, director, and composer, Peter Wilkins, or better known as, Peter Cottontale. Peter's visionary artistry has profoundly shaped the music scene of our city, Chi-town, and beyond. As a close collaborator of Chance the Rapper and a founding member of The Social Experiment, Peter's talents have contributed to Grammy-winning projects that honor and elevate Chicago's people, our shared struggle, our sense of community, and our unique creative opportunity to serve others. His fingerprints can also be found in the music of SZA, Lil Wayne, and J. Cole, as well as hometown heroes like Jamila Woods, Noname, and Vic Mensa. As the owner of RCM Studios in Avondale in the Illinois Third District, Peter is cultivating inclusive, joyful spaces for local talent. Cottontale's work is not just music; it is a movement toward innovation and a movement toward unity. On behalf of Illinois' Third District, I commend Peter Cottontale for his contributions to hip-hop and music history and for reminding us of the power of music to unite communities. Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations to Peter. Honoring Nelly Lema for Preserving the Culture and History of the Native Kichwa People

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker: (English translation of the statement made in Spanish by Mrs. Ramirez is as follows:) In commemoration of Native American Heritage Month, I rise to honor my constituent, Nelly Lema, a community leader committed to preserving the culture and history of the native Kichwa people of Ecuador. As the President of the Kichwa Community of Chicago, Nelly has built community and strengthened the cultural identity for the Kichwa people who today call Chicago home. Through cultural performances, workshops, culturally competent classes, civic dialogue, and policymaking, she has emboldened the Kichwa people to preserve the language, traditions, and identity of their people. Sharing space with Kichwa musicians, artists, and elders who contribute their talents and knowledge, she fosters a welcoming space for her community to feel recognized, seen, and valued. Nelly's efforts remind us of the importance of uplifting diasporic Indigenous Latine communities, both in the United States and globally. Mr. Speaker, I commend and thank Nelly for her incredibly necessary work as a cultural steward and community leader. Mr. Speaker, En conmemoracion del Mes de la Herencia Nativa Americana, deseo honrar a mi constituyente, Nelly Lema, una lider comunitaria comprometida con la preservacion de la cultura y la historia del pueblo nativo Kichwa de Ecuador. Como presidenta de la Comunidad Kichwa de Chicago, Nelly ha construido una comunidad y fortalecido la identidad cultural de una comunidad Kichwa que hoy considera a Chicago su hogar. A traves de espectaculos culturales, talleres, clases culturalmente competentes, dialogo civico y advocacia por politicas publicas, ha alentado a Kichwas en Chicago a preservar su idioma, sus tradiciones y su identidad como pueblo. Al compartir espacio con musicos, artistas y personas de la tercera edad kichwa que brindan sus talentos y conocimientos, fomenta un espacio acogedor para que su comunidad se sienta reconocida, vista y valorada. Los esfuerzos de Nelly nos recuerdan la importancia de elevar a las comunidades latinas indigenas de la diaspora tanto en los Estados Unidos como a nivel mundial. La felicito por su trabajo increiblemente necesario como administradora cultural y lider comunitaria. Gracias, Nelly.

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Metra and all of its employees on their 40th anniversary of delivering public transportation services for communities in Illinois' Third Congressional District. Metra is essential to our work in Illinois to build a strong, vibrant regional economy. Public transportation connects residents of Illinois' Third Congressional District to high-quality jobs, public amenities, and local businesses from DuPage County to downtown Chicago and beyond. When public transportation provides reliable, affordable, and accessible service, the benefits go beyond economic development and opportunity. We can achieve cleaner environments, better family health outcomes, and safer communities. It is why I am proud to have secured $8 million in Federal funds for the Illinois Department of Transportation's Rail Crossing Elimination program to support the separation of train traffic from pedestrians and cars in the Franklin Park community in my district, a project that will improve safety and mobility for local residents in my district. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Metra and its commuter rail service, I will continue advocating for policies and investments that support public transit environments, strengthen green, resilient infrastructure, and expand choice and equity in our transportation systems. Mr. Speaker, I thank everyone at Metra for their service and for connecting our communities. Let's continue rolling together toward a brighter future.