Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April as Second Chance Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate the growth and successes that emerge from giving people with records new opportunities. Second chances help justice-involved individuals better themselves, reduce recidivism, make communities safer, and grow the economy.

As I prepare to retire at the end of 2026, I am deeply proud of my work to advance opportunities for people with records, be the reforms in the areas of criminal justice, health, tax, or education. Today, I wish to focus on how giving second chances by expanding access to higher education makes our country stronger. We know that education is one of the most effective ways to support reentry--strengthening communities, closing racial and economic equity gaps in postsecondary education and workforce participation, and disrupting the cycle of incarceration that continues to target and limit opportunity for people of color and those from low-income backgrounds.

For decades, I worked to expand educational opportunities to those with criminal records, with two key bills becoming law in 2020 as part of P.L. 116-260, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act restored Federal Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals for the first time in nearly 30 years. Research clearly demonstrates that individuals who enroll in postsecondary prison programs see higher earnings and reduced recidivism when they return home. After Congress stripped Pell Grants from incarcerated students in 1994, correctional education plummeted, directly hurting the ability of incarcerated individuals to gain the skills and education needed to secure quality employment post-release. I support and applaud the Northwestern Prison Education Program that offers undergraduate degrees to men incarcerated at Sheridan prison in Illinois. I am proud that my work helps these students get Pell grants so that they can earn a bachelor's degree from a top university.

The FAFSA Act removed the prohibition on federal student aid for people with felony drug convictions--a policy that inappropriately applied a mandatory minimum sentence beyond that deemed appropriate by the judicial system. Removing financial aid from students forces low- income students to leave or forego higher education, undermining economic security. Further, given that African Americans account for only 13 percent of drug users but 55 percent of drug convictions, the prohibition unfairly targeted poor and minority students. Now, students can attend higher education and complete the FAFSA without fear of losing eligibility due to a past drug conviction.

Unfortunately, more still needs to be done to improve educational access for incarcerated individuals. My Eliminating Discrimination and Creating Corridors to Expand Student Success Act (ED ACCESS) would help remove the lifetime ban on the American Opportunity Tax Credit for individuals with felony drug convictions. This ban actively makes it harder for these individuals to afford higher education and get their lives back on track. Similarly, my Demonstrating that Empowerment Makes Opportunities (DEMO) Act would help those with a record obtain successful health careers. This bill is modeled on the amazing work of John Hopkins and the Safer Foundation that created intensive training programs for workers in hospitals coupled with legal services, support services, technical assistance for businesses, and job placement services.

The value of higher education is clear: it increases employment rates; decreases reliance on public assistance; strengthens communities; reduces taxpayer dollars spent on prisons; and reduces recidivism. In today's society, where postsecondary credentials are necessary to access well-paying jobs, helping those with criminal justice involvement earn credentials and degrees which improves their lives as well as their communities.

As we celebrate Second Chance Month, I recognize our successes and commit myself to continuing to help those who have made mistakes get the opportunities to turn their lives around.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Mrs. Wyanetta Johnson.

Whereas, Mrs. Wyanetta Johnson, born April 18, 1939, in Wyatt, Missouri, to Lem and Estel Gilliam Johnson, who grew up in Charleston, Missouri, and who departed this life on New Year's Day, January 1, 2026, at the age of 86, was a pioneering Black leader, a fierce and loving advocate for educational equity, and a woman whose tireless service transformed the lives of generations of children and families in the communities of Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois, in the 7th Congressional District; and

Whereas, Mrs. Johnson came from a family whose roots in racial justice predated the Civil Rights Movement itself--her family was engaged in justice efforts while working as sharecroppers in the Missouri Delta, and she carried that inheritance of courage and conviction with her when she and her husband Forrest moved to Oak Park in the early 1980s to be near their children and grandchildren, a move that set the course for more than four decades of transformative community advocacy; and

Whereas, in the late 1980s, Mrs. Johnson became a founding leader of the African American Parents for Purposeful Leadership in Education-- known as APPLE--serving as both president and vice president of the organization over many years, building a grassroots network that achieved a sustained, daily presence in all of Oak Park's public schools, mentoring Black students during the school day and after school, providing homework assistance, career days, Saturday School, parent seminars, and overnight retreats--all born from her unwavering belief that every child deserved to be seen, supported, and given a full and fair opportunity to succeed; and

Whereas, APPLE maintained its own room at Oak Park and River Forest High School where all students were welcomed, counseled, tutored, and found rest, and where Mrs. Johnson--who did not hold a college degree-- nonetheless counseled first-year teachers on classroom management and discipline, earning the deep respect of educators, administrators, and parents alike, because her authority came not from credentials but from decades of walking alongside children and families with unfailing love and practical wisdom; and

Whereas, Mrs. Johnson was a central and decisive force in advocating for the adoption of

a racial equity policy by Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, helping to launch the Freshman All Honors Curriculum now in its fourth year of implementation, and working alongside attorneys and community education experts to challenge the gross inequities Black children experienced in Oak Park's special education and discipline policies--efforts that set the stage for a major overhaul of special education and the establishment of the district's first Director of Equity position, a living institutional monument to her decades of advocacy; and

Whereas, known to generations of students, parents, and community members simply as ``Grandma,'' Mrs. Johnson embodied a generosity of spirit that extended far beyond meetings and school board chambers--she regularly reached into her own pocket to feed children, buy clothing for students in need, and support families facing hardship; she attended community events, recruited young filmmakers, catered receptions for emerging artists, drove children to school in sub-zero temperatures, and called, visited, and personally congratulated young people when they achieved positions of leadership and service, as she did when Oak Park's Christina Waters was elected village clerk; and

Whereas, Mrs. Johnson's daughter Dorise Monroe reflected that her mother wanted to make sure that people were treated fairly--whether poor Black, poor White, poor Hispanic, or poor Asian--because she had a heart for people, and no matter where you went, somebody knew her; and OPRF Superintendent Greg Johnson confirmed that many of the school's current practices around community engagement, including the Director of Equity position, have their roots in her advocacy, stating that she was `a powerful force for the students in our school' and that it was `absolutely appropriate' to recognize and honor her efforts; and

Whereas, Mrs. Johnson is survived by her seven children--Gwendolyn, David Hawthorne, Vivian Henderson, Dorise Monroe, James Henderson, Carolyn Henderson, Annette Garnish, and Cynthia Johnson--as well as seventeen grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, a family as vast and abundant as the love she poured into her community for more than four decades; and,

Whereas, scripture reminds us in Proverbs 31:26, `She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue'--words that describe not an aspiration but a life actually lived, by a woman who walked into every room carrying both truth and grace, who out-talked the most educated people in the service of the least powerful children in the room, and who leaves behind a community permanently changed for the better by the force of her love and the steadfastness of her will;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that I, Congressman Danny K. Davis, representing the 7th Congressional District of Illinois, do hereby extend heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Wyanetta Johnson, and offer this Extension of Remarks as a tribute to her life, her advocacy, and the profound and lasting impact she made on the children, families, educators, and institutions of Oak Park and River Forest.

Let this Resolution serve as both a recognition of a life poured out in extraordinary service to justice and children, and as a call to all who carry forward her vision--that every child, in every school, deserves to be seen, supported, and given a full and fair opportunity to thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a proclamation honoring the life and legacy of the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.

Whereas, the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., born Jesse Louis Burns on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, and who departed this life on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84, was one of the towering moral voices of the American civil rights movement, a Baptist minister, two-time candidate for the Presidency of the United States, and a lifelong champion of the poor, the marginalized, and the voiceless across this nation and around the world; and

Whereas, the Reverend Jackson first demonstrated his courage and calling as a young man in the segregated South, leading a sit-in at the Greenville County Public Library in 1960 that resulted in his arrest but ultimately contributed to the desegregation of that library system--an early act of nonviolent defiance that planted seeds of justice which would define the next six decades of his extraordinary life; and

Whereas, in 1966, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. personally selected Reverend Jackson to lead the Chicago chapter of Operation Breadbasket--the economic arm of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference--and under his leadership, the program secured more than 2,000 new jobs and $15 million in new annual income for Chicago's Black community in its first fifteen months alone, forever binding Reverend Jackson's name and mission to the city of Chicago and its people; and

Whereas, in December 1971, Reverend Jackson founded Operation PUSH-- People United to Serve Humanity--on Chicago's South Side, an institution built on the conviction that economic empowerment, voter registration, and educational access were inseparable from the full realization of civil rights, and which became one of the most consequential social justice organizations in American history; and

Whereas, in 1984 and again in 1988, Reverend Jackson waged historic campaigns for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States--the first African American man to mount a serious and sustained national campaign for the presidency--winning more than 7 million votes in 1988 and inspiring millions of Black, Latino, working-class, and young Americans to believe that the highest office belonged to them too, and laying the groundwork which, as President Barack Obama later acknowledged, made future paths to the White House possible; and

Whereas, in 1996, Reverend Jackson merged Operation PUSH with the National Rainbow Coalition to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition--a national organization whose South Side Chicago headquarters remains a beacon of activism, scholarship, and community power, carrying forward his mission of leveling economic and educational playing fields, expanding voting rights, advancing corporate accountability, and promoting peace and justice around the world; and

Whereas, Reverend Jackson and Congressman Danny K. Davis shared a bond forged in decades of shared struggle and common purpose--fellow travelers in the ongoing work of organizing communities, registering voters, expanding economic opportunity, and demanding that the full promise of American democracy be extended to every citizen regardless of race, income, or circumstance; Congressman Davis, speaking on the day of Reverend Jackson's passing, bore witness to this partnership with characteristic eloquence, declaring that Chicago has become a center of the universe in terms of social activism, social involvement, and people power--and that much of that must be attributed to Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson--and closing with the words: `Long live Reverend Jesse Jackson, because the spirit of his being and the accomplishments of his work will live on forever and forever;' and

Whereas, even in his final years, as Reverend Jackson battled Parkinson's disease with the same quiet dignity with which he had faced firehoses, courtrooms, and campaign trails, he remained a source of moral authority and inspiration to generations of organizers, clergy, elected officials, and ordinary Americans who learned from him that change is not given--it is earned, through sustained, fearless, organized, and faithful work; and

Whereas, scripture reminds us in Micah 6:8, `He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God'--words that describe not a distant ideal, but the actual life that Reverend Jesse Jackson lived, from the streets of Greenville to the pulpits of Chicago to the floors of convention halls and the boardrooms of corporate America;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that I, Congressman Danny K. Davis, representing the 7th Congressional District of Illinois, do hereby extend this Extension of Remarks as a tribute to the life, ministry, and enduring legacy of the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.--a giant of the civil rights movement, a son of Chicago, a man of God, and a friend whose voice shaped this city, this nation, and this world.

Let this Resolution stand as both an expression of gratitude for a life poured out in service to justices and as a solemn call to all who carry on--to register voters, demand equity, build community, and above all, to keep hope alive.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor Mrs. Essie Pough, one of my constituents from Oak Park, Illinois as she prepares to celebrate her 100th birthday on February 11, 2026. Reaching the age of ``five score'' is a testament to a century of grace, wisdom, endurance and love. That said, on behalf of the 7th District of Illinois, I congratulate and commend Mrs. Pough on this incredible milestone.

Born in rural Mississippi in 1926, Mrs. Pough migrated alongside her husband from the south to Chicago's West Side neighborhood of ``K- Town'', where together they built a strong foundation and lovingly raised their eight children anchored in faith, hard work and respect for others. During her early years in Chicago's West Side, Mrs. Pough found her spiritual home at United Missionary Baptist Church. She was an active and dedicated member for over 50 years at United Missionary, enjoying the choir and participating in various church activities.

After attending Jones Commercial in downtown Chicago, Mrs. Pough began her career at the Illinois Department of Public Aid, which later became the Illinois Department of Human Services. Mrs. Pough worked for the Department for nearly 47 years and was known for providing stellar customer service and professional assistance to the clients she served. In fact, Mrs. Pough's dedication to her profession led her to learn to speak Spanish in order to better serve the Spanish speaking residents of Humboldt Park, which is just one example of how she would go above and beyond the call of duty in her illustrious public service career.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Pough remained committed to service by advocating for causes such as voting rights, civic engagement, and youth development. Mrs. Pough is truly an example of a life lived fully. She has been blessed to break bread with First Lady Michelle Obama and to cast her vote for Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black mayor and for Barack Obama, Americas first Black President-- achievements she believed she would never witness in her lifetime, but indeed she did. Defying age, at 94 years old, Mrs. Pough wrote and recorded her debut song entitled ``Jesus Reigns Forever,'' earning national spotlight on NBC, CBS and Fox News in 2020.

Till this day, Mrs. Pough remains a vibrant and active member of her community, enjoying gardening, bowling, reading her bible and worshipping at the Living Word Christian Center, in Forest Park Illinois. Above all else, Mrs. Pough's greatest life joy continues to be her legacy of 8 children, 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 26 great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I consider it both an honor and privilege to celebrate the 100th birthday of Mrs. Essie Pough and commend her for an extraordinary life of service, faith, perseverance, and love.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Derrick Rose, an outstanding professional basketball player, whose jersey is being retired today by the Chicago Bulls.

Derrick grew up on the South Side of Chicago and went to Simeon high school. He played much of his professional basketball on the West Side with the Chicago Bulls, which I represent. He played on the same floor and joined the ranks of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Bob Love, Mickey Johnson, and Norm Van Lier. Mickey Johnson lives in the same neighborhood as I do. Scottie Pippen and Bob Love both grew up in rural America near where I grew up, and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments. Scottie was born in Arkansas, and Bob was born in Louisiana.

Congratulations to Derrick Rose, who is also actively involved in community affairs with youth.

I also take the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Jerry Reinsdorf and the Chicago Bulls and all of these superstars for what they have meant to America.

Mr. Speaker, as we begin 2026 with Trump and Republican policies squeezing workers, spiking costs, tanking job security, the Republican leadership advances this bill to divert money intended for poor children to dangerous anti-abortion centers.

When my home State of Illinois and four other States are facing an illegal reduction of about $8.9 billion in TANF and SSBG funds due to political retaliation, the Republican leadership chooses to move a bill restricting women's reproductive choices.

If Republicans really wanted to help parents care for their children, they would work with Democrats to ensure that HHS follows the law and immediately releases the childcare funds that HHS is illegally delaying from States across the country.

Illinois receives about $400 million from the Child Care and Development Fund and another $500 million from TANF that help low- income working families afford quality childcare.

Disruption to this funding will have substantial, immediate, and destructive consequences to children, families, businesses, and communities.

I am upset but not shocked that the Republican leadership rejected my amendment to this bill that would penalize HHS for illegally withholding payments of TANF, Child Care Entitlement to States, or SSBG funding if the agency fails to pay an amount due to a State within 5 days by requiring the agency to make a monthly payment of the amount due plus interest.

HHS should be held accountable for harming individuals, families, and businesses.

I strongly oppose this bill that tramples on women's rights to choose their own best health interests.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my dear friend, brother in Christ, and fellow servant of the community, Deacon Andrew Washington, who departed this life on November 14, 2025. Andrew was a man whose presence, spirit, and service touched countless individuals across Chicago's West Side and far beyond.

Born on February 12, 1942, in Dublin, Mississippi, Andrew was raised in a family guided by faith, wisdom, and resilience. After the untimely passing of his mother, Ruthie Lee Washington, his father, Reverend Bernard Washington, remarried, and through perseverance and hope the family made their way to Chicago in 1955. That journey--rooted in survival and aspiration--shaped the character of a man who would come to embody strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment to others.

In Chicago, Andrew attended Crane High School before becoming a certified electrician through Coyne Electrical School. A multi-talented man, he studied music, beauty, welding, and much more, mastering skills that allowed him to support his family, build small businesses, and establish himself as someone who could fix, create, inspire, and lead.

Andrew accepted Christ at an early age and served faithfully as a deacon at Ruth Memorial M.B.C. and later at New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. I had the privilege of serving alongside him, and I know firsthand that he took his calling seriously--offering care, counsel, and comfort to God's people.

Mr. Speaker, Andrew Washington was known for many things--his impeccable dress, his sharp wit, his strong opinions, and his ability to make something out of nothing--but what stood out above all was his deep and unwavering commitment to helping others. And I want to highlight two stories that reflect the true measure of this remarkable man.

First, Andrew would not let a week pass without calling me--not for himself, but on behalf of someone else. He would say, ``Danny, I've got somebody I need you to help.'' Never once did he call to ask for anything for himself. In all the years I knew him, he never sought favor for his own benefit. His thoughts were always on the needs of others--young people, families in crisis, neighbors struggling with illness, joblessness, or hardship. I can personally attest that he helped hundreds of people, and he did so with a quiet humility that never sought recognition.

Second, I recall vividly the time of President Barack Obama's first inauguration. Tickets were scarce--scarcer, I admit, than even a Member of Congress might like. Yet Andrew--resourceful as ever--managed to get tickets and drove his well-known pickup truck all the way from Chicago to Washington, D.C. At the very last minute, he called me: ``Danny, I need a room. I've got my granddaughter with me--and some family and friends. We need a place to stay.''

I thought it would be impossible to find accommodations so close to the inauguration date. But somehow, through God's grace and a bit of determination, we found a room big enough for them all. Andrew's joy in that moment reflected the pride so many of us felt witnessing history. And in true Andrew fashion, the trip wasn't about himself--it was about creating memories for his loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, Andrew Washington was a man of faith, family, community, and conviction. He raised children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren who loved him dearly. He worked hard his entire life, retiring from Ryerson Steel after decades of service. He built businesses, guided neighbors, supported churches, and anchored his community with generosity, wisdom, and love.

He was a storyteller, a counselor, and a living example of what it means to give more than you receive. He taught lessons using props, pictures, and humor. He brought people roses, and through them, messages of hope. He attended events across the city, spreading faith and fellowship wherever he went.

Mr. Speaker, Andrew Washington lived his life with purpose. He gave more than he took. He stood tall, spoke truth, walked boldly, and served faithfully. His legacy is one of service, compassion, resourcefulness, and unshakable faith.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Deacon Andrew Washington and in extending heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Leola Washington; his children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren; and the entire Washington family.

May they be comforted in knowing that this good and faithful servant has finished his course, kept the faith, and left a legacy that will continue to bless generations.

Mr. Speaker, in Illinois, there are 465,000 people who depend on the Affordable Care Act to acquire health insurance. For the past several years, the majority of them have used enhanced Federal tax credits to lower the cost.

In my district alone, 19,000, or 57 percent, will see the cost of their policy go up $696, without the Federal tax credits.

In Austin, Mary will pay an additional $300 per month. On the North Side, Emily will pay an additional $150 a month, raising her cost to $600. Beginning January 1, Rebecca will pay $796 a month.

This is totally unacceptable. All of these are too high. Let's make healthcare available to the American people. Let's pass today, not tomorrow, not the next day, the Federal tax credits.

Mr. Speaker, the President and the Congressional Republicans have passed a bill, the Big Ugly Bill and signed into law on July 4, 2025 that would cut more than 1.5 trillion dollars toward investing in our families, children, and seniors' healthcare. In addition, purging 15 million Americans from insurance coverage, denying Medicaid and SNAP benefits for the poor and needy and diminishing funds to Medicare for the elderly, the disabled, and the disease individuals who desperately need support to live.

As Americans face a Republican-manufactured health care crisis, skyrocketing costs from Trump's tariffs and a weakening economy, Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for working class families, which will expire December 31, 2025. I include in the Record a note from a constituent named Shemeka who captures how devastating the loss of the enhanced tax credits will be for her family.

``I am a single mother with a daughter who has just begun

her freshman year of college.

Access to healthcare is absolutely essential to me and my

family. I am a full-time employee in the inner city of

Chicago where wages are modest, however employer-paid

healthcare is not offered. Because of this, we rely on the

Marketplace for affordable health coverage. Even with a

budget focused solely on basic necessities, we are still

struggling to maintain affordable healthcare. The current

federal tax credits are what make it possible for us to have

even the most basic health insurance, and additional credits

are truly needed.

Without these federal tax credits, we would be placed in an

extremely vulnerable position. Accessing affordable

healthcare would become almost impossible, and the stability

of our lives would be at serious risk. These tax credits are

not just helpful they are essential. It is unimaginable to

consider life without them.

Thank you again for your leadership and for allowing me the

opportunity to lift my voice on this critical issue.''

Mr. Speaker, I got this note this morning from a constituent of mine who said: ``Dear Congressman Davis, I wish you were voting to extend the tax credits for healthcare today. I am a single mother with a daughter in college. Without these Federal tax credits, we will be in an extremely vulnerable position. Accessing healthcare would be virtually impossible, and the stability of our lives would be at serious risk. These tax credits are not just helpful. They are essential. I don't know what we would do without them.''

Mr. Speaker, I agree with Shameka.

Madam Speaker, I rise to express condolences to Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and her family on the passing of her father, Dr. Henry Wiggins, a renowned physician, military veteran, and health activist.

I also express and convey condolences to the family of my good friend Reverend Charles Bowers, who recently passed away last week at the age of 95.

On a happier note, I extend congratulations to my dear cousin and high school classmate, Cora Henderson, and her husband Floyd, on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary. Sixty-five years is a long time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Henry W. Wiggins, Jr., a physician, honorable veteran, civic leader, and social activist.

Dr. Henry W. Wiggins, Jr. was born on March 18, 1933, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Janie Wiggins. He graduated with honors from Clearfield High School (Class of 1951) and lettered in track, football, and basketball. He then attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology (Class of 1955). Following Franklin & Marshall, Dr. Wiggins attended medical school at Howard University (Class of 1959), which was followed by an internship in internal medicine and radiology at University Hospital at the University of Iowa.

Dr. Wiggins admirably served our country in the United States Navy as Chief Radiologist and Lieutenant Commander at Naval Hospital Bremerton in Bremerton, Washington. Following his military service, Dr. Wiggins served as a radiologist at Michael Reese Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Provident Hospital, Roseland Community Hospital, and St. Bernard Hospital, where he also served as Chair of the Radiology Department and as a member of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Wiggins also served as faculty at the University of Chicago Medical School.

In 1965, Dr. Wiggins marched from Selma to Montgomery in protest of voting rights discrimination. An essay he wrote about that experience expressed both his fear in facing such hatred and racism as he joined others in that march, and his bravery--knowing that it was his responsibility to ``stand up and be counted'' as people were denied the right to vote. He was always a man of principle who believed in doing the right thing, even when it was hard. Personally, Dr. Wiggins was a global traveler, an avid golfer, and until the very end, a die-hard Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls fan. He was quite the bookworm, and there was not a day that went by that he did not complete the crossword puzzle or watch his two favorite shows, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.

Dr. Wiggins was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Wiggins, Sr. and Janie Wiggins, and by his siblings, Frances Sellers, Steward Wiggins, Nancy Brown, and Margaret Wiggins. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children, Kay Lucas, Juliana Echols (Bryan), Lee Anne Young (Carl), and Henry Wiggins (Jennifer); and his siblings, Anna Wiggins, Sarah Mitchell, Mary Jane Wiggins, and Elizabeth ``Libbi'' Graves. He was also the joyful ``PaPa'' to ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, and even strangers who benefited from his generosity and kindness.

Dr. Wiggins peacefully breathed his final breath on November 16, 2025, with his family by his side. They will carry forward his spirit, values, and devotion to community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express congratulations to my dear cousin Cora and her wonderful husband Floyd, on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary. Sixty-five years is a long time, but when you can spend them with one person sharing every moment the time becomes more and more precious as the days go by.

Cora and I grew up together in rural Arkansas, Parkdale to be exact, her father Mr. Willie

Vaughn (Uncle Dude) and my mother Mazzie Lee Davis were brother and sister. Our families worshipped together, and visited each other's homes. Cora and I were classmates in school and graduated from high school together. My wife of 56 years, Dr. Vera G. Davis and all of our family extend to her and Floyd our best wishes and pray they have, many, many more anniversaries.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on December 9, 2025. If I were present for Roll Call votes, I would have voted aye on: Roll Call No. 315, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, S. 356, Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, and Roll Call No. 316, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 1676, Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of the United States Postal Service and the over 500,000 dedicated career employees that work for one of America's most trusted and fundamental democratic institutions. Since our Nation's establishment, the U.S. Postal Service has delivered vital goods and services critical to the health and well-being of our people, thereby playing a crucial role in the economic, social, and cultural fabric of America.

For millions of Americans, both in rural communities and in urban neighborhoods, the U.S. Postal Service has been a lifeline. The contributions of postal workers, past and present, represent an essential pillar of public service, community connection, and democratic access, especially in times of national challenge, economic hardship, and social change. The U.S. Postal Service is a driving force to the churches, small businesses, and constituents in the 7th Congressional District of Illinois.

Since its founding in 1906, what was then known as the National Federation of Postal Clerks and what is now recognized as the American Postal Workers Union, Chicago Local 0001 has played a pivotal role in championing safe working conditions, fair wages, equal opportunity, and the respect owed to every individual who contributes to the strength and continuity of our Nation's postal system. As the Postal Service's 250th anniversary approaches, it is fitting and proper that we honor and recognize the dedication, sacrifice, and invaluable service of these workers.

While the U.S. Postal Service has a vast fleet of vehicles and a comprehensive network of facilities and equipment, the real engine behind its operations and prowess is the over half a million dedicated employees of the Postal Service.

On U.S. Postal Workers Recognition Day, I proudly stand in support of the United States Postal Service, especially now given the rise of the digital economy and e-commerce. The U.S. Postal Service is more than just a business; it is an important public-oriented service that has been a cornerstone of our Nation's infrastructure since its inception.

I encourage all residents, organizations, and civic leaders to join me in celebrating the historic contributions and continued service of postal workers and the American Postal Workers Union, Chicago Local 0001.