Jan Schakowsky

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ann Fisher Raney on her retirement from Turning Point Behavioral Health. Ann spent three decades serving Turning Point and led it as Chief Executive Officer for twenty-five years--a quarter of a century. Turning Point, a vital not- for-profit organization in the 9th Congressional District, provides essential mental health support to a vulnerable population of clients, 94 percent of whom are low-income. Under Ann's leadership, Turning Point has grown steadily in size, scope, and reputation, to better serve the growing needs of the community. What began as a community mental health agency evolved into a regional leader, now serving over 1,000 clients annually across outpatient therapy, residential programming, case management, and free 24/7 crisis support. One of Ann's signature achievements was the 2011 launch of the Living Room program, which offered something the field was only beginning to recognize as necessary: a free, welcoming alternative to the emergency room for adults in mental health crisis. Fifteen years later, the program maintains a 98 percent success rate in keeping guests out of the hospital and offers expert and compassionate care, including crisis intervention, support, and mentoring. The broader mental health field has taken notice and the Living Room has become a model program-- Turning Point receives praise whenever it is mentioned. Turning Point received the highest ratings from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and has been recognized with a host of awards recognizing their impact broadly and locally in the communities they serve. These achievements reflect the dedication and skill of everyone at Turning Point, with Ann as their steady, thoughtful and gifted leader. As a result of these and other efforts, Ann was personally honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter. I have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing and working with Ann for the past 3 decades, and what the awards and statistics cannot fully capture is the calm, thoughtful steadiness she brought to this work. She and her team work closely with elected officials to help advocate for policies and programs that will help their clients and the community as a whole. Importantly, Ann and her team also work to ensure that their clients' voices are heard by community leaders and elected officials directly. My staff and I relied on Ann for advice and guidance on legislation, policy and helping constituents in need. I truly treasure my and my office's relationship with Ann, and appreciate all that she has done. Turning Point's mission is to provide solid support when and where it is needed most, and Ann embodied that mission throughout her tenure. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I thank her for thirty years of service to our community and wish her well in the chapter ahead.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rabbi Andrea C. London, of Beth Emet The Free Synagogue in Evanston, Illinois. Rabbi London's retirement after many years of devoted and passionate spiritual leadership for our congregation and the broader Evanston community marks a meaningful moment of transition and celebration. It is also a chance to do something I do not do often enough: to pause and express my deep gratitude for my Rabbi. For more than twenty-five years, Rabbi London has led Beth Emet with a steady hand and strong vision. Through it all, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to Jewish learning, pastoral care, and justice. Much of her leadership has centered on building bridges. Across cultures. Across religions. She was always there with an extended hand and a warm smile. Her longstanding efforts have established strong and lasting relationships across lines of faith and race that truly inspire me. Today, Beth Emet has successful and growing Black-Jewish and Jewish-Muslim partnerships. Rabbi London operates with moral clarity in a world that is often brutal and complex. She has offered a clear, courageous voice on issues of peace in Israel and Palestine. The North Shore NAACP, J Street, and a wide range of interfaith partners have recognized her for that work, and The Forward named her one of the most inspiring rabbis in the country. The City of Evanston has honored her as well, marking her contributions with a formal proclamation. Rabbi London once organized a trip, taking Black and Jewish Evanston teenagers on a civil rights journey through the American South. This trip was designed to give young people a real opportunity to connect with the journey of African Americans living through the civil rights era and to walk in the shoes of those fighting for justice. Through this trip, Rabbi London helped young people understand themselves as part of a moral tradition that makes real demands. That is her gift: she does not tell people what to think. She puts them somewhere they have to reckon with what they believe. Mr. Speaker, I have turned to Rabbi London many times over the years. I have sought her out for counsel, for clarity, and for the kind of grounding that only comes from someone who has devoted their life to justice and to people. She has that rare quality in a leader: she helps you think, rather than thinking for you. I am a better public servant for knowing her. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I want to offer my deep gratitude for Rabbi London's efforts on our behalf over the last quarter century. Her efforts have made Evanston, and our entire country, more just. I know she will continue her great work in our community, making a meaningful difference in the lives of so many. I am proud to call her my rabbi, and forever proud to call her my friend.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Erwin J. Korczynski of Chicago, Illinois. Erwin was a United States Marine Corps veteran, commercial airline captain, and Civil Reserve Air Fleet pilot who passed away on January 5, 2011, after a battle with prostate cancer. Erwin Korczynski was born on March 30, 1942, and raised in Chicago, where he attended Lane Technical High School and later Northern Illinois University. During the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps alongside his identical twin brother, Edwin. After their discharge, both brothers were hired by Eastern Air Lines, beginning careers that would eventually draw them into support roles during two American wars. Through his work with Evergreen Airlines, Erwin became part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, a partnership between the Department of Defense and the commercial aviation industry that augmented Military Airlift Command capacity during wartime. During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, CRAF pilots moved 400,000 troops and 335,000 tons of cargo over 165 days, what has been called the greatest airlift in history. Erwin flew 35 sorties in support of those operations, the same number, by extraordinary coincidence, as his twin brother Edwin. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I want to share our gratitude for Erwin's service to this country, in uniform as a Marine and in the cockpit as a civilian pilot who kept flying into harm's way long after his discharge.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alex Ponder for her many contributions and 7 years of service to 9th Congressional District residents as Senior Advisor for District Operations and Outreach on my district staff. Alex has spent the formative years of her career serving the community where she grew up. Alex was born and raised in the district in Park Ridge and interned with my office while studying at Loyola University Chicago. She made such a strong impression that we invited her to join our team full time after graduation. Over the years, she grew into a trusted and capable member of my staff, serving her community with care and consistency. In her role, Alex was a constant presence across the district. She built lasting relationships with residents and community organizations and helped ensure our office stayed connected to the people we serve. She skillfully led our Congressional Art Competition, working closely with educators and students to build a program that was well run and drew strong participation from schools across the district each year, lifting up young artists and recognizing their work. Alex was someone my staff knew they could always count on. She stepped into scheduling, communications, and other roles whenever needed, never treating any responsibility as outside her lane. She helped keep track of casework numbers and distribution and was an essential part of our office team during many transitions. Alex began as an intern in our district office and later came to oversee that same program. She selected and managed the interns who assist our office each semester, helping bring new members onto ``Team Schakowsky'' and teaching them how to advocate for residents and support a congressional office. Alex knows how to make constituents feel welcome and listened to. She is kind and compassionate, and helped create a warm environment for constituents who called or visited the office. Alex advocated for constituents in a number of important areas, and handled a high volume of constituent casework. She became the passport expert in our office and was able to cut through red tape to get constituents their passports quickly, alleviating their anxiety during what is often a stressful process. She helped seniors with Social Security and Medicare, and helped constituents resolve problems with the IRS and immigration. Alex made a real, concrete difference in the lives of so many 9th Congressional district residents. Alex received a well-deserved and special recognition that reads ``Agudath Israel of Illinois hereby recognizes the extraordinary efforts of Alex Ponder. Her dedication to the constituents of Illinois' 9th Congressional District, under the leadership of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, is truly remarkable. As a global pandemic affected new challenges for countless individuals, you gave personal attention to every person in need. Regardless of the hour or day of the week, and often against the odds, you worked tirelessly to ensure needs were met, emergencies were addressed, and best outcomes achieved. On behalf of Agudath Israel and our entire community, we express profound gratitude for constantly going above and beyond the call of duty.'' And a constituent wrote this heartfelt note ``Your employee Alex Ponder of the Glenview office has gone way way above and beyond in assisting our daughter and her family this summer . . . I reached out to Alex Ponder and she spent as much time as necessary to guide us through the various documents and notarizations and other forms necessary. She also arranged a meeting with the U.S. Passport Office in Chicago and followed through to be sure all was accomplished efficiently and properly. This is government service at its best, Jan, and I smile every day as I drive past your house, happy to have you as a neighbor as well as our representative! Young professionals such as Alex are worth their weight in gold, and it's a testament to your office that such talent is recruited and retained.'' On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Alex Ponder for her years of service. Her work on our team and her commitment to her community reflect her character and values. I am proud of how much she has accomplished here and know that she will continue to succeed and serve the community in the years ahead.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As a Jewish American, I feel a profound responsibility to speak out against genocide and oppression wherever they occur. We must never forget the atrocities committed more than a century ago, that resulted in the death of 1.5 million men, women, and children at the hands of the Ottoman government. As history continues to be under threat of being rewritten, it is more important than ever to speak clearly and truthfully and to call this crime by its rightful name--genocide. We owe it to the victims, their descendants, and to future generations to honor their memory and ensure that this history is neither erased nor forgotten. Today, I stand in solidarity with Armenian Americans in Illinois and across the Nation as we honor the memory of those who were lost. We must continue to educate the world about the first genocide of the 20th century.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Liliana Callahan, Staff Assistant and Constituent Advocate in my district office, and to thank her for the dedication and hard work she brought to serving residents throughout the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. Liliana grew up in Maryland and came to Chicago to attend Loyola University Chicago, eventually deciding to put down roots here. Soon after graduating in 2023, she joined our team full time. Though she was the newest and youngest member of our staff, she quickly established herself as someone we could count on. During her early time with our office, Liliana managed front-line constituent contact and oversaw all United States Postal Service casework across the 9th District. She also directed our district office intern program for several semesters, ensuring each group of interns had the resources and guidance they needed to succeed. Over time, Liliana developed a specialization in immigration casework. She built a deep skill set and was an excellent advocate on behalf of constituents. Many people who reached out to our office feared for the safety and long-term security of their family members navigating our country's immigration system, and Liliana's compassion and expertise reassured them that we were on their side and ready to help. Liliana worked extremely hard to help and advocate for constituents, while managing a large workload. She made a difference in the lives of so many constituents. We heard from many of them who were grateful for her work, including the constituent who wrote to me: ``I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for your instrumental role in securing my father's I-485 approval. Your dedication and expertise made all the difference, and we are overjoyed to share the news of his successful adjustment of status. Thank you for your outstanding work. We appreciate your dedication to making a difference in our lives and look forward to your continued leadership.'' On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I thank Liliana Callahan for her service. She did not grow up here, but she showed up, did the work, and made a real difference for the people of this district. I am proud of her accomplishments and confident she will continue to build on what she started here.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hub's Restaurant in Skokie, a family-owned establishment whose history began on March 1, 1976, when brothers Tony and John Thanoukos purchased the restaurant and began building what would become a lasting institution. From the outset, Tony and John worked together to grow the business, providing high-quality Greek and American food and establishing a reputation for consistency, value, and welcoming service. Their partnership laid the foundation for a family legacy that has now spanned five decades. In the mid-1990s, the brothers divided the business, with Tony leading operations in Skokie and John leading operations in Chicago. While the locations went their separate ways, the shared family history dating back to 1976 reflects the joint effort that built the Hub's name. For 50 years, Hub's in Skokie has provided jobs, supported community events, catered gatherings large and small, and served as a place where neighbors and families come together. Its longevity reflects the dedication of the Thanoukos family and the loyalty of the community it has served. Reaching a 50-year milestone is a momentous achievement for any business. The Thanoukos family and the entire Hub's team should take great pride in this accomplishment. On behalf of the residents of Illinois' 9th Congressional District, I congratulate the Thanoukos family and the entire Hub's team on this anniversary. I wish them continued success in the years ahead.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kathryn Angell, a dedicated public servant who has spent years serving the residents of Illinois' 9th Congressional District with skill, compassion, and professionalism. Kathryn has been a member of my staff since January 2022, after having previously served with distinction as an intern in the office. From her earliest days here, she demonstrated a deep commitment to public service and a genuine concern for the people who turned to our office for help. In her role as a Constituent Advocate, Kathryn handled a wide range of complex and often deeply personal issues, including IRS cases, housing matters, student loan concerns, and many other challenges faced by families across the district. She approached each case with patience and determination, understanding that for many constituents, reaching out to a congressional office comes at a moment of frustration or hardship. Kathryn worked tirelessly to navigate federal agencies that can be difficult to access and slow to respond, and she never lost sight of the human impact of her work. Constituents benefited not only from her knowledge, but from her persistence and her willingness to see cases through to resolution. My staff and I could always trust that Kathryn's work would be handled with care, diligence, and respect for the people we serve. Over the years, Kathryn earned a strong reputation as a thoughtful, responsive, and reliable member of my team. She coordinated the office's participation in the Congressional App Challenge, engaging with high school students across the district as they learned to code and develop their first apps. Kathryn was also deeply involved in the office's congressional outreach efforts, regularly representing the office at community events and neighborhood office hours throughout the district. As Kathryn leaves the office to pursue new opportunities, I want to express my sincere gratitude for her service. While we will miss her greatly, I am confident that she will continue to use her talents and experience to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Her experience in this office has prepared her well for whatever path she chooses to pursue next, and I am confident she will excel in any role she undertakes. I wish her every success in her future endeavors.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Sadruddin Noorani, a longtime resident of and leader in Illinois's 9th Congressional District, for more than four decades of sustained public service, civic leadership, and community engagement. I have known and worked with Mr. Noorani for decades and have witnessed firsthand his commitment to service, human rights, and civic involvement. Mr. Noorani arrived in the United States in 1981 and, for over forty years, has devoted himself to strengthening the community where he put down roots and made his home. His work has spanned local, state, and national efforts, with a focus on service to immigrants, refugees, and underserved populations, as well as on building partnerships between community organizations and government institutions. He helped me organize a community unity event after the September 11, 2001, attacks, bringing together 9th Congressional District residents of all religions, ages and backgrounds to stand strong together. He has participated in many events I have organized in the district, on issues ranging from civil rights to the census. Throughout his career, Mr. Noorani has been recognized by officials and organizations at every level of government. These recognitions reflect the breadth and consistency of his service. Early in his career, he received a Certificate of Merit from Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. In 1999, he was named an Honorary Citizen and Goodwill Ambassador of Houston in recognition of his civic leadership beyond Illinois. In recent years, his service has included assisting with the arrival of Afghan refugees at O'Hare International Airport in 2022, an effort recognized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In 2025, his work was further acknowledged with a Certificate of Excellence from Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, a Commitment and Dedication to Illinois Award from Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and a Community Service Award from the Illinois Asian American Law Enforcement Association. Taken together, these recognitions represent only a small portion of the many commendations Mr. Noorani has received over the years, but they reflect a consistent pattern of long-term commitment, steady leadership, and service motivated by care for others rather than personal recognition. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I want to thank Mr. Noorani for all that he has given to our district, our state, and our Nation. I commend him for his decades of work and extend my gratitude for his continued contributions to the 9th District and beyond.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to stand here today to talk about one of the most important leaders in the city of Chicago for many, many years, helping person after person, making sure that his community and our communities have been safe, to stand up and fight for the people of the city of Chicago, a city that my colleague does not really understand the kind of faith that they have in Chuy Garcia all of these years. For someone who doesn't know about the city of Chicago and the role that he has played and to find some outside idea that he has somehow cheated the city of Chicago or the people of the city of Chicago--are you kidding? There has not been one single person that has stood up in Chicago and said that there should be some sort of punishment for our great friend. I mean, he has been there every day of the year helping people, every day of the most recent years helping people because we know that people have been in Chicago trying to take away people's lives, taking them out of the country, people who are fine, wonderful people in the city of Chicago. I say: Shame on you for deciding that this is the issue that you, who have no idea about the role that Chuy Garcia has played in the city of Chicago and continues to play in the city of Chicago, will take on. This should be diminished right now.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 22nd Annual Disability Pride Parade taking place in Chicago's Loop on Saturday, July 26. The parade takes place 35 years to the day that the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was signed into law, and the theme of the parade is 35 years of ADA: Still Rising, Still Thriving. The mission of the Disability Pride Parade is to change the way people think about and define ``disability,'' to break down and end the internalized shame among people with disabilities, and to promote the belief in society that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with disabilities can take pride. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. This bipartisan effort made a commitment that our history of segregating and isolating persons with disabilities would end. In the law's own words, the purpose of the ADA is to ``provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.'' By setting enforceable standards, providing assistance for compliance, and asserting the federal government's central role in ending discrimination, this landmark civil rights law has provided hope and opportunity for all Americans--those today living with a disability and those of us who could become disabled tomorrow. Because of the ADA, individuals with disabilities have the legal right to fully participate in our society--the right to transportation, health services, shopping, entertainment, education, employment, public accommodations, and voting. Those who fought so hard to win its passage--including my friend and mentor Marca Bristo, the founder and head of Access Living--deserve to celebrate its enactment and deserve our thanks. But as we celebrate today, we have to get to work tomorrow. We need to build on the ADA's promise--whether it is passing my bill, the Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act, to make sure that all new residential housing built with federal dollars is accessible or increasing the employment of adults with disabilities. This year, we have seen a number of legislative attempts to take away rights from disabled individuals. The Big Ugly Bill, which Republicans passed through Congress, is going to strip health care away from nearly 17 million individuals, including many with disabilities. I stood on the frontlines with disability advocates who have truly been the tip of the spear in the fight to protect all Americans' health care. While we did not win this battle, the fight is not over. The power of the people is always greater than that of the people in power. As long as discrimination still exists and as long as there are those who seek to undermine existing law, the purpose of the ADA will not have been completely met. It is our job to make sure that happens.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jacqueline Brown, who served as my Suburban Director, Grant Coordinator, and Constituent Services Manager from 1999 to 2001. Jackie passed away on July 1, 2025, and I offer my heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. Jackie was a key member of my original Congressional District Office staff and was instrumental in developing the constituent services operation my office is well-known for today, over 25 years later. Jackie helped develop the position of Grants Coordinator to assist organizations and businesses in researching, applying for, and securing government loans, grants, and other funding opportunities. She identified more than $10 million in federal grant opportunities for groups in the district and advocated with federal agencies to help bring those funds to the 9th Congressional District. Jackie utilized her excellent networking and community relations skills to help build relationships and solve problems for constituents. She developed solid relationships with many entities and organizations throughout the district and helped establish the broad network of organizations and partners that my office continues to engage with on policy and community issues even today. She excelled at connecting with and advocating for constituents who needed help. Jackie used her problem-solving skills and worked with federal agencies to cut through bureaucracy and red tape and successfully advocate for people in need. She was resourceful, thorough, and compassionate. Her advocacy during her time in my office helped improve the lives of many constituents, and her management of constituent service operations meaningfully strengthened our services throughout the district. Jackie also organized events, conducted outreach, and represented me when I was unable to attend events throughout the district. In addition, she worked as a strong liaison to the small business community, helping foster collaboration and support. Jackie was cheerful, outgoing, compassionate, and personable. She was an important part of my original team, and she had an enormous impact on so many people. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I want to recognize Jacqueline Brown for her service on their behalf. She will be dearly missed, and I hope she rests in peace.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the vote in the House chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 185. Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I inadvertently missed today's vote. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 185.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as a cosponsor of H. Res. 353.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Frank Pallone for his support and leadership. Gus Bilirakis and I have been working for over 2 years now on this piece of legislation that is going to bring such delight and security for artists and for consumers who really want to benefit from being able to get the wonderful products that they can put their money into so that they can have their families enjoy so many events. We know that there have been hidden fees. These companies say that this is how much it is going to cost you to be able to go to an event, to be able to go to a concert. You think, and the people who are trying to buy these tickets think, that these are going to be the fees that they are going to have to pay. Sure enough, by the time the product is ready to be paid for, often it can go as much as 40 percent higher. That is really cheating the people who are spending their money. We know that with passage of the TICKET Act that consumers will be paying only the amount that they believe they are paying the first time. That is the money that you are going to pay, no more. It is about time that the scammers who are going and raising the price of these events are now going to not be able to do that. People are going to get exactly what they had asked for, what they had paid for. The passage of the TICKET Act is really a happy event. We need to pass this legislation. I know that lots and lots of people and people who are artists are going to really do better. I look forward to finally, after a couple of years, passing this bill. This bill passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly in the last Congress. It is time for us to get this done. I thank Gus for his bipartisanship. It has been a pleasure to work with him.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the long career of Mr. Doug Nguyen, who is retiring after over three decades of service with the Social Security Administration. I want to share my gratitude for a job well done. I want to thank Doug for all that he has done for my constituents. While Mr. Nguyen's retirement is well-earned, I have no doubt that residents will miss his unselfish and diligent work on their behalf. Doug Nguyen's life story is emblematic of a mantra that I repeat over and over as I meet residents of my congressional district: our Nation is stronger because of its diversity. Arriving in America after fleeing a tragic situation in Vietnam as a child, Doug set down roots and has spent decades improving his community and helping his neighbors live better lives. Doug's dedication to setting the highest standard of public service is outstanding and his insistence that everyone who interacts with the Social Security Administration receives respectful and helpful treatment will have a lasting impact long beyond his many years of service. My staff have nothing but respect for Doug and his contributions and they actively looked forward to collaborating with him at every opportunity. We could not have asked for a better partner. It is clear from Doug Nguyen's many acknowledgements and awards that our Nation recognizes the value he brought into whatever role he served on our behalf. Whether it is with his service with Social Security, with the White House Initiative on Asian American Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, or on the various boards upon which he has served, Doug has always been a strong leader who is helping to improve Americans' lives and pull our community and our Nation in the right direction. Our Nation no doubt faces some difficult challenges in the months and years ahead. Federal employees like Doug Nguyen who have devoted their professional lives to serving our Nation are under siege. But I have confidence that we can emerge victorious from these challenges because of the foundation that Doug and so many like him have laid over their decades of work on our behalf. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I again want to thank Doug Nguyen for his many years of service. Doug successfully bridged the gap between a federal agency and the human beings it serves, and that is an accomplishment that deserves endless praise. I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments and long career of my dear friend, George Van Dusen. George is retiring after serving as an excellent Mayor of Skokie for 25 years. I have had the privilege of representing the Village of Skokie for the entirety of my congressional career, and George Van Dusen has been a fierce and effective advocate for his community throughout my tenure. George was a partner who I knew I could rely upon, and my staff and I took every possible opportunity to work with him and his team. Mayor Van Dusen has dedicated 52 years of his life to public service--41 of those years serving as an elected official with the Village of Skokie. Mayor Van Dusen has been a proud Skokie resident since 1974, and it comes as no surprise that his engagement in the community led him to serve as both a trustee and eventually mayor. Mayor Van Dusen served as my predecessor, Congressman Sydney Yates' Director of Suburban Operations from 1973 until Representative Yates' retirement in 1999. This experience as a congressional staffer provided George with invaluable knowledge about how a legislative office works and how to best collaborate with me and my staff to improve the lives of Skokie residents. While serving in his capacity as Director of Suburban Operations, Van Dusen was elected to the Skokie Village Board as a Trustee in 1984 and was appointed mayor in 1999. Thanks to Mayor Van Dusen's 26 years of leadership, the Village of Skokie is in very good shape. Skokie has seen significant growth and prosperity under his stewardship. Thanks to Mayor Van Dusen's steady hand, the Village has seen significant economic development and Skokie's population has consistently grown. George has been a leader on everything from infrastructure investment to promoting affordable housing to ensuring that sustainability issues are front and center for the Village. Mayor Van Dusen was a key supporter of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which opened in Skokie under his tenure. This institution is now a landmark that has received national acclaim as it combats hatred and bigotry. Skokie is a wonderfully diverse community where more than 90 languages are spoken, and has long been a village that welcomes, respects and values all residents. Mayor Van Dusen has lifted up and celebrated the cultural richness of Skokie, through events like the Festival of Cultures and by ensuring respect and access to village services for everyone. I am grateful to have had Mayor Van Dusen as a partner within the 9th Congressional District of Illinois these past 26 years, and I am even more grateful to be able to call him a friend. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I thank Mayor Van Dusen for his service and wish he and wife Susan all the best. He leaves shoes that will be very hard to fill. I hope Skokie's future leaders have the same skill and compassion that he showed throughout his career. I wish him nothing but the best in future endeavors.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Ivey for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, this is so important, yet we should be ashamed of the way the Trump administration has been absolutely attacking our Federal workers, the people who go to work every single day to do important functions. They don't have any ulterior motive. They are making sure our senior citizens get their medications and that we take care of our veterans who need help. These are the kinds of things they do. They are servants to all of our people. They are doing their best job, yet they are being criticized. I thank them, and I pledge to all of our Federal workers that I will be here to praise them, to protect them, and to say that they have not only every right but every privilege of serving the American people as they have done day in and day out. Mr. Speaker, I say hooray to the workers who do so much every single day. They don't ask for any special awards but do the work that the people of the United States need. We have to thank them every single day for their work and not denigrate them as the Trump administration has done.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Kids In Danger and its longtime Executive Director and my friend, Nancy Cowles. Headquartered in my home state of Illinois, Kids In Danger is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children by fighting for product safety. After over 25 years of protecting children, Kids In Danger will be closing its doors by the end of the year. Founded in 1998 by the parents of sixteen-month-old Danny Keysar who died when a poorly designed and recalled portable crib collapsed around his neck in his childcare home, Kids In Danger's mission is to save lives by enhancing transparency and accountability through safer product development, better education and stronger advocacy for children. Nancy Cowles has been Kids In Danger's executive director since 2001 and has passionately advocated for stronger safety standards for children's products to protect all our children, and educated parents, caregivers, and health professionals about recalled and dangerous children's products. Nancy and Kids In Danger's hard-fought victories for children include the landmark 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, including Danny's Law requiring strong standards for cribs and other nursery products. Nancy oversaw the development of the KID Design Safety Toolkit, a free online course for children's product developers to educate them about design safety in the product development process to prevent injuries. For over two decades, Nancy has been a leader and mentor for parent advocates who lost their children due to hazardous products and assisted them in their advocacy for stronger safety measures at both the national and local levels, including safe infant sleep and preventing furniture tip-overs and button cell and coin cell battery ingestion. I thank Kids In Danger and Nancy Cowles for their work to protect all our children and grandchildren from hazardous products.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and congratulate Metra on ita 40th anniversary. For the last forty years, Metra has provided safe, reliable commuter rail and hundreds of millions of rides to the communities it serves in the Chicago area, including many in the 9th Congressional District. The first Board meeting of the newly formed Commuter Rail Division, created as part of a reform of the Regional Transportation Authority, was held in June of 1984. That Board adopted ``Metra'' as a unifying name for all the disparate parts that made and still make up the commuter rail system in the region. At the time, Metra inherited a threadbare system and was tasked with modernizing and unifying commuter rail in Chicagoland. Since then, Metra has come a long way, acquiring new lines and subsidizing operations on others owned by freight railroads, continuing to improve the rider experience, and expanding the communities it serves. Most recently, Metra purchased zero-emission, battery-powered trainsets. I am proud to share that Metra will be one of the first in the nation to operate this innovative technology. The trainsets will also have low-level boarding and will be equipped with lifts to make them ADA-compliant. They will include features like passenger information signs, bike racks, luggage racks, and more. The purchase demonstrates Metra's committment to cleaner, more inclusive, and rider-friendly transportation options. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Metra for forty years of service. The future of Metra is bright, and I look forward to many more years of reliable, safe commuter rail service for my constituents.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me for the privilege of saying a few words about Bill Pascrell. I love Bill Pascrell. I say that in the present tense because every time I think of him he makes me smile, not because he was a funny guy-- oh, no, he was serious. He was intense. He is the most honest, and I am going to have to say he did not have a phony bone in his body. I was a neighbor of his at Hill House, and I would see him sometimes coming and going. One time when John Larson and I knocked on his door, he opened that door and I guess to describe what he was wearing or not wearing, I will say shorts, but he didn't flinch. I didn't flinch. I was happy to see him, and he didn't care because he is his natural self. Let me just say that honesty and clarity was what he was about. There was nothing that was contrived about this man. There aren't that many people who I know that I could say that about. I miss him so much. I think about him every day, and I am honored to say I loved him.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of David Lecik. After 37 years of dedicated service in state government, 12 of which were spent working with the Illinois Department on Aging's Senior Health Insurance Program, Mr. Lecik will be retiring as Education Specialist and technical expert on Medicare and Medicaid, and he will be missed by many. Mr. Lecik served in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years while married to his wife Sheila and raising three children, Stephen, Dan, and Rosemary. His armed forces career started as a dental assistant, and he later retrained in computer operations. He was stationed in Maryland, Southern Illinois, and Athens, Greece and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant. After the Air Force, Mr. Lecik worked for Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park while earning a bachelor's degree in psychology at Governors State University. In 1997 he was hired by the State of Illinois at the Department of Human Services (DHS) and worked as a Human Service Caseworker and Staff Development Specialist. The work at DHS laid the foundation for his incredible ability to teach advocates and counselors on Medicare and the many benefits that are offered to Illinois citizens. Mr. Lecik joined The Senior Health Insurance Program-SHIP in 2012 and mastered the Medicare program. David's dedication to serving older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers across the State of Illinois is remarkable. His passion to ensure access to quality healthcare for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries has been at the forefront of his career. He shared his knowledge and talents with the 1,000 SHIP counselors who work with both Medicare and Medicaid programs to assist eligible beneficiaries with lifesaving programs and benefits. He re-wrote the training manual for SHIP and restructured charts and desk aids that summarized difficult subjects for optimal understanding. His ability to explain the medical programs for seniors and the technical support he has given to hundreds of SHIP counselors is exceptional as he has championed high quality education and advocacy within in the SHIP program. Mr. Lecik has not only supported Medicare recipients by providing counseling to ensure they retain and navigate their health care benefits but has also been a pillar of support for Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselors and professionals throughout the State by helping them navigate the complex Medicare and Medicaid systems. He has provided countless older adults and professionals with the information needed to make informed decisions about their benefits and championed for the most vulnerable and limited income beneficiaries to ensure they have quality health coverage. Mr. Lecik has presented to numerous audiences such as retirement groups (City of Chicago, Cook County Courts system, and AFSCME), case managers, caseworkers, and advocates from every area of the state. During his career at SHIP and has attended and spoken at national conferences, the Age + Action conference, and has worked with legislators to bring Medicare/Medicaid education to beneficiaries in many local areas of the state. He has worked closely with Social Security outreach staff, liaisons with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the state agency--Healthcare and Family Services. Dave is known throughout the country for his knowledge and expertise with SHIP. He never steers away from a challenge, and he sticks with an issue until it is solved to a successful end. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I thank David Lecik for all the work he has done for the citizens of Illinois. We are so grateful for his invaluable service and wish him the best of everything in his future endeavors.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the long- distinguished career of Sandra Galassi, a dedicated public servant. In April 2022, Sandra Galassi retired from the Social Security Administration after 48 years of service to our Nation and our residents. For almost five decades, Ms. Galassi was the epitome of dedication, commitment, and service excellence within the Social Security Administration. She was based in the Chicago North field office, the Chicago Region's most culturally and ethnically diverse field office. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Galassi exemplified the highest standards of professionalism and compassion. She would often work tirelessly to ensure members of the public were assisted. From her early days as a fresh recruit, to her eventual role as a Title II Claims Specialist, she navigated each challenge with grace, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to serving the public with integrity and empathy. Each day, Ms. Galassi approached her work with a sense of purpose and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others. With 48 years of service, Ms. Galassi touched tens of thousands of lives, each one better for having encountered her. Ms. Galassi's tenure is not merely a testament to longevity but also to her enduring passion for public service. The numerous awards of recognition she has received serve to solidify the indelible impression Ms. Galassi has left on the Social Security Administration. This was not her only time spent on behalf of the public. Prior to joining the Social Security Administration, she spent time working for both the United States Treasury Department and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Ms. Galassi was born and raised in Chicago, and then raised a family of her own with her husband Robert in Niles, Illinois. I am proud to have her as a constituent of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, and I know that she is an irreplaceable member of the local community. On behalf of the constituents of the 9th Congressional District, we thank Ms. Galassi for her 48 years of service and dedication.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a brave and compassionate resident of my district; Erik Archambeault. On April 9, 2024, shortly before noon, Erik was quietly celebrating his 47th birthday. He was interrupted by the sound of gunfire which appeared to be coming from the nearby Red Line CTA train station. Erik ran towards the gunfire to assist a resident who had been walking their dog. It turned out that a shooter jumped out of a car, opened fire, killing one--James Craig Smith, Jr.--and injuring the neighbor that Erik Archambeault was rushing to assist. Without hesitation, Erik guided the injured man into his business, Rogers Park Social, and tended to his wound until he was safely in the hands of the paramedics. Mr. Archambeault demonstrated tremendous bravery and compassion for a neighbor in need. This is not the first time that Erik has risen to the occasion in a tense situation. Several years ago, Erik faced another tragically similar situation and rushed to aid and comfort another shooting victim in his neighborhood. In that case, the neighbor sadly did not survive. Mr Archambeault is the owner of Rogers Park Social and Rogers Part Provisions, two local businesses whose mission states: ``Founded and operated by neighborhood residents, we strive to mindfully infuse the spirit of community, diversity, and service in all that we offer.'' No truer words were ever spoken. Erik Archambeault personifies what it means to be a resident who gives back and plays an integral role in the broader community. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I thank Erik for being our neighbor. We are so grateful for the impact that he has had on our neighborhood.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my colleague, Congresswoman Hayes, for bringing us together today to talk about something so important. We do live in the richest country in the world at the richest moment in history, and the very idea that we would tolerate and even think about adding to hunger in America is beyond belief. It is a moral issue, but how could we even think about cutting the opportunity for our children, for our families, for older Americans, for people with disabilities, for people who simply can't afford to put food on the table. This is not because we have a shortage of the food that is available. It is not because there is not the funding to make sure that we take care of those in need. This is the beginning, pretty soon, of the hunger season because many schools that have provided school lunch programs and school breakfast programs may not be available in the summer months, and yet these children and families need to eat. How can anyone think about cutting the SNAP program, 60 million people in the United States, half of whom are children? No. It is just not tolerable. I beg that we are going to make sure that everyone in the United States of America who is hungry will have food on the table.