Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District and the State of Arizona's 29th Legislative District, I would like to recognize Linda Migliore. Linda Migliore is the Chairwoman of the Republican Legislative District 29 which spans the Cities of Surprise, El Mirage, Youngtown, Litchfield Park, and Goodyear. The district also includes a West Valley fixture, Luke Air Force Base, where the sound of freedom is often heard flying the skies of Arizona.

As Chairwoman, Linda has worked tirelessly to ensure citizens are educated and engaged in the civic process. Her efforts to ensure Republicans are elected in the Phoenix West Valley have been critical to the success of Legislative District 29 and beyond.

I am thankful for Linda's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to the legislative district and to the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the president of the Sun City Republican Club, Glen Sayler. Glen Sayler has distinguished himself by providing exceptional service to the residents of Sun City, Arizona.

As president, Glen has been an advocate for educating members on the civic engagement process and how to interact with elected officials. The efforts of Glen and the Sun City Republican Club have been pivotal to the success of elected officials and candidates in the Phoenix West Valley.

I am thankful for Glen's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate his service to Congressional District 8 and the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District and the State of Arizona's 27th Legislative District, it is my honor to recognize Carol Ayotte. Carol Ayotte is the Chairwoman of the Republican Legislative District 27 which spans portions of the Cities of Glendale, Peoria, and Phoenix with a population of over 240,000.

As Chairwoman, Carol has worked tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement. Her efforts to work collaboratively with other leaders in the Phoenix West Valley have been instrumental to the success of Republican elected officials and candidates in the state legislature and beyond.

As a resident of Legislative District 27, I am thankful for her leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to the legislative district and to the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District and the State of Arizona's 28th Legislative District, I would like to recognize Lori Bango. Lori Bango is the Chairwoman of the Republican Legislative District 28 which spans portions of Peoria and North Phoenix and includes the unincorporated areas of Sun City and Sun City West, representing a population of over 228,000.

As Chairwoman, Lori has worked tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement. Her efforts to ensure Republicans are elected in the Phoenix West Valley have been instrumental to the success of Legislative District 28 and beyond.

I am thankful for Lori's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to the legislative district and to the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, Justin Wilmeth serves as an Arizona State Representative for Legislative District 2, covering the North Valley. Since joining the legislature in 2021, Justin has been a force to be reckoned with, setting a first-year freshman record with eight sponsored bills being signed into law by Arizona's governor.

Justin understands the issues and values that matter most to our great state, and he is working every day to protect our laws. From securing the border, to enhancing economic prosperity, to defending our Second Amendment, to fighting for election integrity and transparency, Justin has proven to be a relentless warrior for conservative principles and policies, making his constituents very proud of his efforts.

Arizona's Eighth Congressional District is thankful for Representative Justin Wilmeth's endeavors on behalf of his district and our state.

Mr. Speaker, Cathi Herrod serves as president of the Center for Arizona Policy. She has been a pro-life and pro-family warrior for decades in Arizona. Her efforts at the State Capitol and around Arizona communities have helped to ensure that we cherish our values and respect the dignity of life. Thanks, in large part, to her tireless work, Arizona is one of the top pro-life and pro-family states in the Nation, and she continues to fight to maintain this standing in the face of overwhelming odds from opposing forces.

During her distinguished career, she has received the Family Champion Award from Focus on the Family, the William Wilberforce Award from Students for Life of America, and the Deborah Award from Family Life Radio.

On behalf of Arizona's Eighth Congressional District, I applaud Cathi Herrod for her service to our state and thank her for her continued action to defend life and family.

Mr. Speaker, John Kavanagh serves as an Arizona State Senator for Legislative District 3, covering the Northeast Valley. He has served in the Arizona Legislature since 2007. Before coming to Arizona, John worked as a police officer for the Port Authority of New York and the New Jersey Police Department. I had the privilege of serving with Senator Kavanagh for a number of years when I was a state legislator, and we worked on several policies and reforms that have made a lasting impact for future generations of Arizonans.

John has earned much recognition for his conservative principles during his time in the legislature, including a Lifetime A+ rating from the National Rifle Association, a Lifetime A rating from the American Conservative Union, and a Lifetime A rating from the Center for Arizona Policy.

Arizona's Eighth Congressional District thanks him for his distinguished record of service to his district and our state.

Mr. Speaker, Shawnna Bolick serves as an Arizona State Senator for Legislative District 2, covering the North Valley. Throughout her time in public service, Shawnna has been a strong champion for promoting school choice and protecting the most vulnerable among us.

Thanks, in large part, to her work, Arizona is one of the premier states in the nation for school choice and for safeguarding those who cannot defend themselves. She has served on Arizona's Early Childhood Education and Health Board, the Arizona State Board of Education's Academic Standards Development Committee, and the Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission. Shawnna is a `can-do' conservative fighter. She will always stand on her principles, but she looks every day for consensus and for opportunities to enact meaningful policy reforms and enhancements for her constituents.

Arizona's Eighth Congressional District is grateful for Shawnna's commitment and passion for public service, and I am thankful for the example she has left for many to follow.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an accomplished woman whose public service to Arizona has left a lasting impact on thousands of Arizonans.

Beverly Pingerelli began her career at Henry Ford Hospital after receiving her bachelor's degree from Wayne State University. From there, she went on to work in the molecular medicine laboratory at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Eventually, Ms. Pingerelli moved on to public service where she was elected to the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board from 2015 to 2019. After serving on the board, Pingerelli chose to continue her public service in the Arizona State Legislature.

While serving Arizona Legislative District 28, Beverly Pingerelli has put a focus on economic prosperity, student success, and parental rights. She even sponsored legislation to expand parental oversight of public school library books and materials and cosponsored legislation to require voter ID and prohibit human smuggling.

Beverly Pingerelli is truly a force to be reckoned with in the legislature, and Arizona is lucky to have her representation.

Tribute to Kimberly Yee

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a woman who has led our State with strength and helped to create one of the most prosperous economies in Arizona history: Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee.

Kimberly Yee was born and raised in Arizona and was the first Chinese-American Republican woman to be elected to a major statewide office in the history of the United States. She is the first Asian American elected to a statewide office in Arizona history.

Yee began her career in public service in 2010 when she was elected to the Arizona Legislature where she served for 8 years between the house and the senate. She was the second woman to serve as Senate majority leader since U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor served in Arizona in that same position.

During her time as treasurer of Arizona, the Permanent Land Endowment Trust Fund hit record highs. She also led the effort to pass a State law requiring financial education for high school students prior to graduation.

Treasurer Yee's service to Arizona has raised financial literacy rates, improved Arizona's economy, and helped show young women and girls across the State that anything is possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize someone whose service will be felt by future generations of Arizonans--Arizona Senate President Warren Peterson.

Senator Petersen's service to the people of Arizona began in 2012 when he was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives.

Throughout his time in the House, he served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee and majority leader. Once his time in the House came to an end, Senator Petersen was elected to the Arizona Senate where he became President in 2023.

Under his leadership, Arizona has accomplished school choice, passed tax cuts for families across the State, and worked hard to enforce border security in the face of opposition from the left.

During my own time in the Arizona House of Representatives, I was lucky enough to serve alongside President Petersen where he was a respected colleague and a friend.

Petersen's service to Arizona could not be overstated, and his leadership is appreciated by all Arizonans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend an accomplished and dedicated leader who has served Arizona greatly: the speaker of the Arizona House, Ben Toma.

During his tenure in public service, Speaker Toma has achieved many great things for Arizona.

He advanced universal school choice, a ballot measure to require voter ID, a border security ballot measure to require E-Verify, and he instituted the largest tax cut in Arizona history.

He also signed on to an amicus brief to support the State of Texas as they fight in court for their right to defend their State from invasion.

Speaker Toma's career is a testament to his dedication to Arizona. His legacy of leadership will last for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable Arizonan whose passion for Arizona's education has left a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come.

Thanks to Dr. Peter Pingerelli, thousands of young Arizonans were able to receive a high-quality education, cultivating their skills in order to achieve their goals.

As a member of the West-MEC governing board and a professor at Grand Canyon University, Dr. Pingerelli was deeply passionate about education in Arizona.

Dr. Pingerelli's impact on education in Arizona cannot be overstated. He was a great friend, father, loving husband to State Representative Beverly Pingerelli, energetic educator, and valued community member. He will be dearly missed by everyone who had the privilege to know him.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Hindu Community in Arizona's 8th Congressional District, I would like to recognize the successful completion of Sewa Diwali in the Salt River Valley, led by Vaibhav Navghare and the dedicated members of the non-profit Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. This excellent organization was founded by Kenyan Hindus in the 1940s and is active in 156 countries. They are responsible for putting together Sewa Diwali each year, which is a large food drive to celebrate the spirit of selfless giving during the festival of Diwali. Under Mr. Navghare's leadership, 9,300 pounds of food were collected by over 110 volunteers from 40 different organizations in the Salt River Valley. All of the proceeds directly benefitted the Navajo tribes at Flagstaff.

I am incredibly proud of the hard work that Mr. Navghare and Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh put into helping those in need and I thank them for their service. May their charitable endeavors inspire others to give back as well; they exemplify the best of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American woman who has served our Nation and my State so admirably throughout many decades.

Sandra Day O'Connor is an American icon and was a trailblazer for thousands of women to pursue and achieve their dreams.

This amazing woman was born in 1930 and grew up on the Lazy B Ranch in southeastern Arizona. She went on to serve in the Arizona Attorney General's office and then as the county's first female State senate majority leader in the Arizona legislature.

After being elected as a judge to the Maricopa County Superior Court, she was nominated by President Ronald Reagan as America's first female Supreme Court Justice.

She always showed courage, leadership, and independence throughout her time in government. Her contributions to the fabric of this Nation will be cherished for generations to come.

Madam Speaker, do we live in Communist China?

Really, do we live in Communist China?

I can't believe that the Biden administration first wants to ban gas stoves--we had to do legislation to prevent that. Now, they want to ban 67 percent of the manufacturing of regular gas-powered cars by 2032. That is insane.

President Biden and my Democratic colleagues claim they are for the middle class. They always say: We are for the middle class. Well, no, they are not because who can afford these electric cars?

It is the people with a bunch of money. That is who can afford it. Not the middle class. Not the lower class.

I am in strong support of this bill to prohibit and prevent this radical regulation against common Americans.