Floor Statements

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.