Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed three votes on the House Floor today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 172, H.R. 1998; YEA on Roll Call No. 173, H.R. 3394; and YEA on Roll Call No. 174, H.R. 3422.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the tragic loss of Officer Gabriel Facio of the Apache Junction Police Department.

This past Sunday, six days after being fatally shot while responding to a road-rage incident, Officer Facio passed away from his injuries. He was just 47 years old.

Officer Facio lived the American Dream. Born in Mexico, Officer Facio earned his U.S. citizenship and dedicated his life to serving the community that welcomed him with open arms. He began his law enforcement career with the Phoenix Police Department . . . and nearly four years ago, he joined the Apache Junction Police Department.

A devoted father and grandfather, a respected colleague and upstanding American . . . he served Apache Junction with honor, bravery, and compassion. He kept our neighborhoods and streets safe day after day. Tragically, he's the fourth Arizona officer to fall in the line of duty in the past 12 months.

My thoughts are with his wife, his family, and his many friends and colleagues. I hope his memory brings comfort and strength in difficult days ahead.

Officer Facio's ultimate sacrifice, his courage, and his selflessness, will never be forgotten. Godspeed, Officer Facio.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the tragic loss of Officer Gabriel Facio of the Apache Junction Police Department.

This past Sunday, 6 days after being shot while responding to a road- rage incident, Officer Facio passed away from his injuries at just 47 years old.

Officer Facio lived the American Dream. Born in Mexico, Officer Facio earned his U.S. citizenship and dedicated his life to serving the community that welcomed him with open arms.

He began his law enforcement career with the Phoenix Police Department, and nearly 4 years ago joined the Apache Junction Police Department.

A devoted father and grandfather, a respected colleague, an upstanding American, he served Apache Junction with honor, bravery, and compassion. Tragically, he is the fourth Arizona officer to fall in the line of duty in just the past 12 months.

My thoughts are with his wife, family, his many good friends, and colleagues. I hope his memory brings comfort and strength in the difficult days ahead.

Officer Facio's ultimate sacrifice, his courage, and his selflessness will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed three votes on the House Floor during the 1:30 p.m. series today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 134, NAY on Roll Call No. 135, and YEA on Roll Call No. 136.

Madam Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed one vote on the House Floor during the 5 p.m. vote series today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 137.

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed two votes on the House Floor. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 132, H.R. 1263, and YEA on Roll Call No. 133, H.R. 1286.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to express my outrage over more broken promises.

In my home State of Arizona, we are mourning the death of 14-year-old Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Emily disappeared from Mesa earlier this year and was

found brutally murdered 2 weeks later off of U.S. Highway 60.

Months later, her case remains unsolved. Emily Pike, like Hanna Harris 30 years ago and hundreds and hundreds of native women and girls, should be alive today.

It is far too common that their cases go cold and that loved ones are left without answers and without justice.

To this day, the MMIP crisis remains the most underreported, under- discussed, and under-resourced tragedy in America, and Congress and Presidents have promised for decades to do much more to address it.

Despite some progress towards justice for victims and their families, Trump's budget announced Friday strips millions of dollars from public safety and criminal justice programs across Indian Country. We have the unique trust responsibility to our Tribal Nations and rarely, if ever, has our Federal Government delivered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Captain Scott Leatham of the City of Tempe's Fire Medical Rescue Department. Captain Leatham lost his battle with a rare form of cancer, which was caused by the carcinogens he was exposed to over his career as a firefighter, on December 19, 2024, at the age of 39.

Our community, along with his wife, Ashley, his 15-year-old son, Kaden, and his 12-year-old daughter, Kali, grieve his loss still. Captain Leatham radiated positivity and goodwill. When he decided to commit his life to public service, everyone knew that it was a perfect fit.

From a young age, Captain Leatham dreamed of becoming a firefighter, and in

2013, he started an over-a-decade-long career at the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department. He went to work every day with a positive attitude, a passion for his profession, and unwavering selflessness. He took on a number of roles, serving as a firefighter, technical rescue technician, SWAT medic and member of the dive team. His former supervisors remember him as a standout--the epitome of what a firefighter should be. As a reward for his years of excellence, Scott was promoted to captain paramedic in 2022.

Beloved by his department and his wider community, Captain Leatham was living the life he had always dreamed of--a life committed to public service, family, and faith--when he received the devastating news of his diagnosis. Yet even in his final days, Captain Leatham remained positive, and certain he made the right decision in choosing a profession he found so meaningful and rewarding. Hundreds of fellow service members, friends, family, and community members attended Captain Leatham's funeral in January of this year to pay their respects.

Firefighters face an increased risk of cancer diagnosis and cancer- related death as a result of their service, and Captain Leatham's story is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices shouldered by our firefighters as they dedicated their lives to ensuring public safety. Despite the risks of this profession that this loss so painfully illustrated, Captain Leatham's fellow crew members at Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department feel inspired by his legacy and are continuing to serve the people of Tempe with pride.

Ahead of National Firefighters Day, I stand to honor Captain Scott Leatham and all our Nation's firefighters. We are forever indebted to them for their courage and their service.

Godspeed, Captain.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Pastor Victor Hardy, a beloved community leader, committed advocate, and upstanding citizen of the City of Chandler. Victor passed away on March 22, 2025, at the age of 63, after a lifetime of faith, friendship and service. Chandler--and all of Arizona--is a kinder, more just place for his presence among us.

Born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia, Victor attended neighboring Norfolk State University where he studied music and performance. There, he met his beloved wife of 40 years, Cynthia. His lifelong devotion to serving God and his country was clear early in his life. After graduation, he served in the Virginia Army National Guard and the United State Air Force and pursued another degree in religious studies at Liberty University.

The Chandler Community was blessed nearly 26 years ago, when Victor moved his family to their new home in Arizona. He volunteered tirelessly with the school districts, the city, Chandler Tullamore Sister Cities organizations, East Valley NAACP, and many other local organizations and nonprofits. His particular focus was to uplift African American men in our community. Over a decade ago, Victor founded the Chandler Men of Action, a profoundly impactful organization that empowers African American youth and honors the many contributions of African American men to Arizona. He became the first and only African American to hold the title of Executive Director at For Our City Chandler, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting collaboration and compassion in Chandler. In 2022, the Chandler City Council honored Victor with the MLK Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize his service to our community, which has helped to realize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream of a better, more just Nation.

Pastor Victor Hardy was ordained in 2012. Just three years later, he became the first African American solo pastor at the Congregational Church of the Valley. Victor built a welcoming and inviting space for congregants, and his congregation described him as a dedicated pastor-- and as a friend and mentor. He challenged his members to deepen their connection to their community and was a vocal champion of public servants, like our teachers and law enforcement officers--he even led a First Respondents Blessing each September.

Victor's love of music steered his service as well. Coming from three generations of African Methodist Episcopal church leaders, Victor's musicality was fostered in church growing up. He founded and directed the Chandler Centennial Celebration Choir in 2012, created the Chandler High School Gospel Choir Club, and emceed the Chandler Symphony Orchestra Gala. Under his leadership, the Chandler High School Gospel Choir went on to perform at a number of high-profile shows.

Pastor Victor Hardy's dedication to the Chandler community is remarkable and deeply appreciated by the city's residents. My prayers are with his family, including Cynthia and his sons, David, Julian and Patrick. Victor will be deeply missed by his congregation and all of those committed to justice and societal change. His compassionate legacy of service will be felt for generations to come--Arizona owes him a debt of gratitude. I thank Victor, and Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, after Trump's so-called Liberation Day, the stock market cratered. American businesses halted investments because of the economic uncertainty. Families in Arizona saw their retirement accounts and 401(k)'s nosedive. The biggest financial firms in the country predicted a recession.

Now, of course, President Trump caved today, and that was actually the right thing to do. While this constant whiplash may make for a good episode of ``The Apprentice,'' it is no way to run the most powerful Nation and the largest economy in the world.

The Framers of the Constitution wisely gave Congress, not the President, power over trade and international commerce. My colleagues and I introduced a resolution to this body

yesterday reasserting that critical authority.

Even a few brave Republicans are willing to stand up to President Trump and their own party on this critical issue. Sadly, Speaker Johnson decided to go a different direction. He tucked language into a procedural vote that bans these Republican and Democratic resolutions from coming to the floor for a vote--not even a vote. He is trying to avoid Republicans going on record against supporting Trump's chaos because he knows the American people are sick and tired of this.

Enough is enough, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 150th Anniversary of the Tempe Elementary School District.

Founded in 1874, Tempe Elementary School District has provided decades of community-inspired education to families in Tempe, Phoenix, Guadalupe, and beyond. The students who start their educational journey in this school district are some of Arizona's highest achievers, continuously building upon on the foundational knowledge, skills, and character traits instilled in them during their most formational years. Throughout the history of this district, administrators and educators have worked together with a simple guiding mission: provide the best education possible for their students. Around Arizona, this district is known not only for its academic excellence but also for the collaborative and passionate culture they have fostered for their staff, students, parents, and the greater community.

Today, the Tempe Elementary Schools are proud to serve a diverse student population of 10,000 who speak over 70 languages, and more than 2,000 of these students choose Tempe from outside the district. The Tempe Elementary School District has trademarked themselves as trailblazers in educational innovation, offering STEM-focused curricula, bilingual and dual-language immersion programs, arts integration, and robust special education services. They have also built meaningful partnerships with the City of Tempe, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations--allowing students to have real-world experiences that spark community-oriented paradigms early on in life.

As we celebrate this historic occasion, I would like to recognize the teachers, administrators, staff, students, families, and alumni who have contributed to the district's legacy. Their passion and dedication have inspired a love of learning and introduced students to a world bigger than their own--inside and outside of the classroom.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating 150 years of educating, nurturing, and inspiring our future generations. I look forward to seeing Tempe Elementary School District continue to thrive and have its students become significant contributors to our community and the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable constituent from my district, Bertha Mazon, to celebrate her 100th birthday.

On April 5, 1925, Bertha Martinez was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. She immigrated to Arizona when she was just 11 months old. After graduating from Phoenix Union High School in 1943, she went on to work for the Department of Economic Security, starting as an employment office manager where she helped countless Arizonans acquire jobs. She then went on to be a legislative liaison within the Department for over 45 years. Bertha's guiding mission in this role was to give back to the community, which she did through obtaining lost employment checks, food stamps, veteran claims, and other benefits. Legislators and constituents alike came to know her as ``the Angel of DES''.

Since the 1970's, Bertha provided countless resources for the Valley through her involvement in Las Damas del Valle, the oldest Latina volunteer organization in Arizona for which Bertha was one of the first members. Through this organization, Bertha did door-to-door education to eradicate Tuberculosis, supported the local South Phoenix Boy Scout troop with supplies, and acted as an auxiliary volunteer for the County Hospital before it opened in 1970.

Bertha devoted her life to creating opportunities for the people of Arizona and continues to empower the Latino community through education and service. Beyond her career, she is also a skilled painter, once earning a recognition that resulted in her work being displayed in the U.S. Capitol building. She is also a life-long-learner, an amazing cook, and secret comedian with a knack for bilingual jokes.

As we celebrate this incredible 100 years Bertha has lived, we reflect on the many achievements that have shaped her life. Through it all, her love for her family has been a constant source of strength and joy. Married for over 60 years, she raised 4 children--Mark, Sonja, Frankie, and Linda, and her family continues to grow.

Bertha has also faced profound loss, including the loss of her son Frankie when he was just 17. His spirit lives on through the generations of the Mazon family. Her deep love for her family and support for her community is a constant source of inspiration to all who know her.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the many contributions Ms. Mazon has provided for our community and celebrate this incredible milestone by wishing her a happy 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 9, which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 44th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May 15, 2025. I thank the gentleman

from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) for his leadership as the subcommittee chair.

This incredibly important event, which is hosted by the National Fraternal Order of Police, will honor Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers who lost their lives performing their duties in the year 2024.

In addition to the family and friends of the deceased, event organizers expect up to 25,000 police officers from around the country to be in attendance.

Among those honored and remembered will be Officer Adam R. Buckner of the Tucson Police Department, Officer Joshua Briese of the Gila River Police Department, Detective Ryan So of the Scottsdale Police Department, and Officer Zane Tristan Coolidge of the Phoenix Police Department.

Police Officer Zane Coolidge was shot in the line of duty while responding to reports of larceny, passing away at the hospital. He served with the Phoenix Police Department for 5 years and is survived by his wife and infant daughter.

Officer Buckner was killed on March 31, 2024, when he was hit by a car while responding to a reported crime. He is survived by his wife, mother, sister, and three brothers.

Mr. Speaker, 23-year-old Joshua Briese was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call in the Gila River Indian Community. He had served with the Gila River Police Department for less than 1 year and was still completing field training. His father, Deputy Sheriff David Leroy Briese, Jr., of the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Department, Montana, died in the line of duty on November 3, 2006. We owe a special debt of gratitude to this family that has lost two of their family members, police officers who died in the line of duty.

Ryan So was accidentally shot and killed after serving a search warrant and conducting an arrest in Scottsdale. A United States Navy veteran who served with the Scottsdale Police Department for 9 years, Detective So is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important resolution. This is an important event to honor police officers who died in the line of duty and also to honor those living who are willing to die in the line of duty to serve their community.

Therefore, I support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside his colleagues in the Arizona delegation, alongside members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, alongside members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and so many others, to mourn the loss of a political and social justice giant, Congressman Raul Grijalva.

Raul's story is the American Dream. He was the proud son of a bracero cowboy from Mexico who went on to become the president of the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board, chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, an 11-term Member of the United States Congress, and the dean of the Arizona delegation.

His accomplishments in this body are too numerous to list. We would be here all night, but it is his legacy of fighting for environmental causes that stands out. As chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Raul led the charge to protect America's public lands, including and especially the Grand Canyon, to protect our most precious resources, including our water, and he stood up firm for Tribal sovereignty.

He has been a mainstay in these Capitol hallways for more than two decades, but he remained an activist at heart. He never forgot where he came from or the people who got him to where he was.

Raul brought the lessons he learned as a Chicano activist in Tucson in the 1970s to Washington where he led the Progressive Caucus for more than a decade, leading the charge for immigrants and working people.

He spoke truth to power, but in his quiet way and always with good humor. Perhaps Raul's greatest legacy is the generation of Latino leaders that he mentored, many of whom stand inside this body and many more that fill city halls, county seats, and school boards back home in Tucson. As Raul would say: ``It is all about the love.''

He spent more than a half-century working on behalf of southern Arizona until the very end. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Ramona, his three daughters, and the community of Tucson who will dearly miss him. Rest now, my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar), my colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Gosar for those kind words. When you and he disagreed, Raul was normally right.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues at this moment to join me in a moment of silence for our departed colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.