Analilia Mejia

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Ryan P. Haygood for his extraordinary contributions to civil rights, racial justice, and his efforts to advance equality throughout New Jersey and across our Nation.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Ryan led efforts to address systemic inequality and strengthen communities throughout our state. Under his leadership, the Institute advanced measures to ensure all communities do more than survive, they thrive. Ryan tirelessly advocated for New Jersey's $15 minimum wage, automatic voter registration, and the restoration of voting rights to approximately 83,000 residents on probation or parole. His advocacy contributed to ending prison-based gerrymandering and expanded opportunities for historically underserved communities.

Ryan's leadership has transformed New Jersey. He advanced critical criminal justice reforms, including efforts to close New Jersey's youth prisons and expanded community-based alternatives to incarceration. Under his leadership, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice has worked to address racial disparities in housing and economic opportunity, advocated for greater access to homeownership, and established the New Jersey Reparations Council in order to examine the lasting impacts of slavery and systemic discrimination.

Ryan Haygood is no stranger to the fight for justice. Prior to leading the Institute, Ryan served as Deputy Director of Litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, working on landmark civil rights cases defending voting rights and challenging discriminatory practices. Today, he continues his commitment to justice as President and Chief Executive Officer of the much-lauded Southern Poverty Law Center.

Today I rise to celebrate Ryan Haygood's remarkable contributions to our state and to uplift his unwavering commitment to equality, opportunity, and justice. His leadership and advocacy will strengthen our democracy and will help build a more just and equitable future for all.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ryan P. Haygood for his extraordinary service to New Jersey and our Nation. His leadership and advocacy have strengthened our democracy and helped build a more just and equitable future for all.

Madam Speaker, one of the most important aspects of the human experience is artistic expression. It builds bridges, connects communities, and exemplifies how beauty is found in the ordinary and extraordinary.

That is why I rise today to recognize the New Jersey Ballet, an institution based in Florham Park that has brought artistic excellence to audiences across our State for nearly seven decades.

Founded in 1958, the New Jersey Ballet is entering a new era under artistic director Maria Kowroski, a 25-year veteran of the New York City Ballet. The company continues to honor iconic works, while commissioning new work that shapes the future of dance.

Through school partnerships, community programs, sensory friendly performances, and Dancing for Parkinson's, New Jersey Ballet is making the performing arts accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Since 2022, NJB has proudly served as the resident ballet company at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, bringing world-class performances to our district in Morris County and supporting local businesses.

I am proud to recognize the New Jersey Ballet for inspiring generations of New Jerseyans and enriching our State's cultural identity.

Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the vibrant Latino communities across New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

Our district, at the crossroads of critical moments in history, is as diverse as it is historic. Communities from across the diaspora proudly call the 11th District home, including my own.

Recognizing the impact of the Latino community, without naming the crisis our community faces would be a disservice at this moment, however.

As the daughter of two Latino immigrants, I was raised by parents who recognized the importance of embracing my Nation, while holding on to who I was.

Following the scores of immigrants who arrived upon these shores, Latino Americans have created communities that enriched their adopted and beloved land, while remembering the culture of their parents and grandparents.

Like many, irrespective of their culture or ethnic backgrounds, we stand appalled at the way in which those at the highest perches of this land use racist tropes and dog whistles to divide a nation of immigrants yearning for liberty and justice for all.

Across my district, this warfare is made evident by every unjust arrest, through the gutting of safety net programs, and the wholesale vilification of a community that loves this Nation enough to serve it, grow it, and defend it.

Violent arrests, courthouse ambushes, the denial of justice all lay bare the willingness of some to turn away from what actually makes America great: ``one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.''

Some say that upholding these words somehow takes away the freedoms and opportunities of those whose ancestors arrived upon these shores in generations past. This flawed thinking treats justice as if it were finite, as if it were cake, and sharing a piece somehow lessens what is placed upon your plate.

Well, Madam Speaker, justice, freedom, and opportunity are not cake. It does not run out if someone else gets a slice.

Madam Speaker, one of the most important aspects of the human experience is artistic expression. It builds bridges, connects communities, and exemplifies how beauty is found in the ordinary and extraordinary.

That is why I rise today to recognize the New Jersey Ballet, an institution based in Florham Park that has brought artistic excellence to audiences across our State for nearly seven decades.

Founded in 1958, the New Jersey Ballet is entering a new era under artistic director Maria Kowroski, a 25-year veteran of the New York City Ballet. The company continues to honor iconic works, while commissioning new work that shapes the future of dance.

Through school partnerships, community programs, sensory friendly performances, and Dancing for Parkinson's, New Jersey Ballet is making the performing arts accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Since 2022, NJB has proudly served as the resident ballet company at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, bringing world-class performances to our district in Morris County and supporting local businesses.

I am proud to recognize the New Jersey Ballet for inspiring generations of New Jerseyans and enriching our State's cultural identity.

Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the vibrant Latino communities across New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

Our district, at the crossroads of critical moments in history, is as diverse as it is historic. Communities from across the diaspora proudly call the 11th District home, including my own.

Recognizing the impact of the Latino community, without naming the crisis our community faces would be a disservice at this moment, however.

As the daughter of two Latino immigrants, I was raised by parents who recognized the importance of embracing my Nation, while holding on to who I was.

Following the scores of immigrants who arrived upon these shores, Latino Americans have created communities that enriched their adopted and beloved land, while remembering the culture of their parents and grandparents.

Like many, irrespective of their culture or ethnic backgrounds, we stand appalled at the way in which those at the highest perches of this land use racist tropes and dog whistles to divide a nation of immigrants yearning for liberty and justice for all.

Across my district, this warfare is made evident by every unjust arrest, through the gutting of safety net programs, and the wholesale vilification of a community that loves this Nation enough to serve it, grow it, and defend it.

Violent arrests, courthouse ambushes, the denial of justice all lay bare the willingness of some to turn away from what actually makes America great: ``one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.''

Some say that upholding these words somehow takes away the freedoms and opportunities of those whose ancestors arrived upon these shores in generations past. This flawed thinking treats justice as if it were finite, as if it were cake, and sharing a piece somehow lessens what is placed upon your plate.

Well, Madam Speaker, justice, freedom, and opportunity are not cake. It does not run out if someone else gets a slice.