Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, my amendment today seeks to protect the bedrock of our democracy, free and fair elections, from attacks by foreign actors.

While I have great concerns about the underlying bill today, given its overly broad language and its impact for universities in need of DHS funding, whether it be for disaster relief or campus hardening or threat protection, the issue of election interference is one that cannot be ignored.

We know that our democratic processes are under attack by foreign countries. Last week, the Department of Justice issued indictments outlining efforts from the Russian Government to influence the 2024 Presidential election by funding and promoting divisive, inflammatory rhetoric and disinformation campaigns in the media and on online platforms.

These efforts have been surprisingly effective in infiltrating the platforms of far-right influencers, conservative media, and even some of my fellow lawmakers, who have repeated some of this Russian propaganda right here on the House floor.

The concerns about the PRC doing the same are not new. Last December, the National Intelligence Council detailed how the intelligence community assessed that ``China tacitly approved efforts to try to influence a handful of midterm races involving members of both U.S. political parties.''

Just last Friday, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a report titled ``60 Days Until Election 2024,'' which stated the intelligence community ``is aware of PRC attempts to influence U.S. down-ballot races by focusing on candidates it views as particularly threatening to core PRC security interests.''

Make no mistake, preventing such influence and interference in our democratic processes is vital to maintaining

our national security and international security in the Indo-Pacific region. It also preserves the United States' free and fair elections, thereby legitimizing our electoral process and reinforcing the principles of democracy.

This is not the first time congressional Republicans put a bill on the floor defining a foreign entity of concern or foreign adversary, and it will not be the last.

Strangely enough, I am starting to see a pattern. Attempts at election interference through mis- and disinformation is a problem.

Mr. Chair, I am asking for support of my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the remarks of the gentleman. I have had an opportunity to travel to various portions of Asia since I have been here. In fact, I don't think that there is any place that I have traveled to more.

I must say that as I have consistently traveled the world, a lot of times with a number of my Republican colleagues, the one thing that I can say has been very bipartisan all term long has been our concerns about the rising threat of the PRC.

I appreciate the gentleman's remarks. I appreciate us standing together. That is standing against anyone that is a threat to our elections, as they are what makes America truly great.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Self for bringing this bill.

It is interesting to just hear the overlap between Congressman Self's bill and the bill that I have been trying to get out of committee. Congressman Self is doing this on behalf of Congressman Johnson, and I am doing it on behalf of Congresswoman Johnson.

Interestingly enough, they both were from the Dallas area or spent time in the Dallas area, as my predecessor is not from Dallas herself. However, she started her career at the Dallas VA, the Dallas VA that she ended up representing in Congress for 30 years.

After becoming the first woman and the first Black woman to be a head nurse at the Dallas VA, she then became the first nurse to ever swear into Congress.

As it was already laid out about Congressman Johnson, she went into the Texas State House, as well. She went into the Texas State House in 1972 as one of the two first Black women to ever swear into the Texas House, and then she went on to the Texas Senate where she was one of two only Black women to still ever serve in our Texas Senate.

Most importantly, I currently represent the Dallas VA, and we lost a hero in Dallas. We lost a hero in this country just like here recently, her sorority sister, when we lost Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

I am just asking, considering the standards that are set out by this committee, that we allow my bill to move forward as well because the first standard is that such individual is deceased, which she meets. The person is either a veteran or a Member of Congress. She was a Member of Congress. The individual performed outstanding service for veterans. She did that in her 16 years in service directly but also in the work that she did afterwards.

In addition to that, each member of the congressional delegation has demonstrated their support in the form of a letter. This was not met by Congressman Self's bill, and it is not met by mine. However, I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, that I stood with Congressman Self on his bill, and I am happy to say that he stood with me on mine, as well.

The final requirement is letters of support from VSOs. We both have met those requirements. The only requests that I have--because I do, again, stand in support of this--is that we bring my bill to the floor as well to honor the late great Eddie Bernice Johnson who passed in December of 2023.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Don ``The Energizer'' Johnson, an outstanding and dedicated leader in the South Dallas community. Johnson has dedicated his life to serving and uplifting those around him. As a member of the Dallas South Lions Club and founder of Welcome House, Inc., he has helped those facing difficulty to get the resources they need to acclimate back into society. For more than 50 years, Johnson has set an example for all members of the community to follow.

As a founder of Welcome House, he brought much needed resources to those battling with alcohol, drug, and HIV/AIDS related issues. Johnson became the first African American president of the Past District Governors of Texas Lions and served in various roles in the Dallas South Lions Club, the Dalclif-Wynnewood Lions Club and associate member of the Duncanville Lions Club. Through the Lions Club he has served on the boards of Lions Youth Camp, Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation, Lions Club's Charities and many other Lions Club activities. He also serves on Duncanville's Citizens on Patrol program, the Duncanville Park Board, and chairman of the Welfare Board, Mr. Johnson has committed his life to being an active community leader. He is vocal about the issues facing our community and ensures that others know that their voice matters too. A member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Johnson teaches classes for deacons and elders, and is a mentor to youth in the community. Mr. Johnson is a family man, and is a proud father to six daughters, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, and a great-great grandfather.

We are indebted to the service that Johnson has provided to the South Dallas community and Texas' 30th Congressional District. I am proud to recognize such an extraordinary constituent who is the embodiment of faith, perseverance, and community. May we all strive to live a life of service like Mr. Don Johnson.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Greg Porter, City Manager for the City of Cedar Hill, TX in my District. Mr. Porter assumed this role in January 2015 and has steadfastly served since then. While he has played a key role in putting Cedar Hill on the map and driving the growth of this rapidly developing City, it is important to acknowledge that Mr. Porter strayed away from his core of being a servant.

Mr. Porter began his career with the City of Cedar Hill as an intern in 1987 and has dedicated the entirety of his 37-year career to the city. I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand his unwavering dedication to our neighbors and his unwavering commitment to building community. Serving in roles with the city's planning, parks & recreation, human resources, economic development, public safety, animal control, emergency management, utilities, and public works departments, it's safe to say that Mr. Porter is well-versed with the ins and outs of the city.

Although Mr. Porter is set to retire from the city at the end of this month, I am confident that he will never cease to be the epitome of a true public servant. Because of him, I know that our communities across Cedar Hill have grown stronger, and many will continue to benefit from his leadership, impact, and foundation of service that he laid. Congratulations to Mr. Greg Porter on a job well done.

Mr. Chair, I was absent today during the time of votes. Had I been present, I would have voted

NO on Roll Call No. 297, Brecheen Amendment No. 1;

NO on Roll Call No. 298, Brecheen Amendment No. 2;

NO on Roll Call No. 299, Brecheen Amendment No. 3;

NO on Roll Call No. 300, Burchett Amendment No. 4;

NO on Roll Call No. 301, Burchett Amendment No. 9;

NO on Roll Call No. 302, Gosar Amendment No. 13;

NO on Roll Call No. 303, Gosar Amendment No. 14;

NO on Roll Call No. 304, Gosar Amendment No. 15;

NO on Roll Call No. 305, Gosar Amendment No. 16;

NO on Roll Call No. 306, Greene of Georgia Amendment No. 18;

NO on Roll Call No. 307, Greene of Georgia Amendment No. 19;

NO on Roll Call No. 308, Greene of Georgia Amendment No. 20;

NO on Roll Call No. 309, Hageman Amendment No. 21;

NO on Roll Call No. 310, Hageman Amendment No. 22;

NO on Roll Call No. 311, Mace Amendment No. 35;

NO on Roll Call No. 312, Mace Amendment No. 36;

NO on Roll Call No. 313, Moskowitz Amendment No. 45;

NO on Roll Call No. 314, Ogles Amendment No. 50;

NO on Roll Call No. 315, Perry Amendment No. 54;

NO on Roll Call No. 316, Spartz Amendment No. 59;

NO on Roll Call No. 317, Steube Amendment No. 61;

NO on Roll Call No. 318, Tenney Amendment No. 63;

NO on Roll Call No. 319, Tenney Amendment No. 64;

NO on Roll Call No. 320, Tiffany Amendment No. 68;

NO on Roll Call No. 321, Waltz Amendment No. 72;

NO on Roll Call No. 322, Wilson of South Carolina Amendment No. 75;

NO on Roll Call No. 323, Greene of Georgia Amendment No. 56;

NO on Roll Call No. 324, Greene of Georgia Amendment No. 57;

AYE on Roll Call No. 325, Jayapal Amendment No. 72; and

NO on Roll Call No. 326, Moore of Alabama Amendment No. 129.

Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call Vote No. 188 on the motion to table H. Res. 1209, I mistakenly recorded my vote as YEA when I should have voted NAY.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this ridiculous Republican attempt to deny reality.

You know, I must first start off by making sure that I can respond to some things that were just said. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, you probably know just like I do that we have a thing that we have been fighting for called sustainable aviation fuels. This is something that we know in speaking to organizations such as Boeing, we know that we can actually operate planes off of something like sustainable aviation fuels, and they are ready to do the hard work, and guess what? Our farmers are ready to participate. Our farmers need to make sure that they are going to expand their options for earning a dollar because we have this thing called climate change that is taking place.

Right now, especially in the State of Texas, we are losing so much of our farmland because of this thing called climate change. We just had wildfires that destroyed land.

We know that right now when it comes to our sugar crops we are having issues because it takes 6 years just to raise a sugar crop. So guess what? We have got to be creative. Honestly, if we would allow the Republicans to continue to decide on what we are going to do when it relates to energy, well, by gosh darn it, I think we would still be in a horse and buggy because it seems like advancements in technology are not what we are looking for.

No one is saying that it is either or. What we are saying is that we need to make progress instead of being regressive. Under this current administration, we know that we have a record amount of oil that is being produced, but that doesn't mean that we can't also be smart about our energy and move forward.

Now, let me get to my prepared remarks.

Instead of taking action to build on President Biden's progress, House Republicans would rather sit on the sidelines in the least productive Congress in modern history and ridicule rather than serve.

In this resolution, Republicans ridicule the President's energy supply chain policy, but while Republicans ridicule, Biden brings results.

Madam Speaker, President Biden and the Democratic Party brought billions of dollars in investment into the U.S. energy sector through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Republicans ridicule the President's record on jobs in the energy sector, but Biden is bringing over 1.4 million jobs to the U.S. through the IRA.

Republicans ridicule the President's record on gas prices. These are the same Republicans, by the way, who are refusing to lift a finger to get critical aid to Ukraine which would lower gas prices even more.

Nevertheless, despite Republican inaction by sharing intelligence and training with the Ukrainians, Biden, broke the blockade, lowering Americans' gas prices.

Republicans ridicule the President's record on home energy affordability, but Biden brought billions of dollars to help families in need to pay their energy bills in each and every one of our districts through the LIHEAP program, which Republicans refuse to fully fund.

The fact is we know what Republicans want to do with our energy sector. They showed us when they passed H.R. 1, which would put polluters over people.

Without a positive agenda of their own, they stand on the sidelines to ridicule President Biden's agenda. I appreciate this resolution, if for no other reason than it clarifies where my colleagues on the other side of the aisle stand.

I want the American people to know that Republicans ridicule President Biden's agenda to combat the climate crisis by lowering energy costs and investing in America.

While Republicans ridicule, Biden brings results.

Mr. Speaker, on March 5, 2024, I was absent during the time of votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 60, H.R. 3391, Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, and YEA on Roll Call No. 61, H.R. 3838, Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, as legislators, it is our job to make sure we are not moving forward with drafting legislation that is, on its face, flawed. If we want to legislate and address immigration, let's mean what we say and do so in an effective manner.

This bill does not live up to that standard. The inclusion of the term ``actively assisting'' is ripe for judicial scrutiny and will, undoubtedly, result in court challenges wasting taxpayer dollars and government resources.

Nonetheless, fiscal issues caused by poor legislative drafting are the least of my concerns with this bill. This language is so deeply concerning because we already have been witnessing how aggressive policing tactics and unconstitutional racial profiling directed by rogue Governors like Governor Greg Abbott have led to severe harm to-- and has undermined--our legal system all in the name of actively assisting the U.S. Border Patrol.

Take, for instance, this last Christmas where U.S. citizens--a husband, wife, their 13-year-old daughter, and their grandmother-- living in El Paso were wrongfully targeted by Texas officers in unmarked vehicles after they were coming back from visiting relatives just across the border in Mexico. The officers ran the family off the road, and at least four Texas Department of Public Safety officers wearing street clothes and tactical vests quickly surrounded their car and began pointing semiautomatic rifles at them.

Because of the accident, the grandmother had to receive x-rays and still has lingering back pain. The daughter was likely traumatized from having weapons of war pointed at her and her family.

No one, including me, doubts more must be done to address the problems we are seeing at the border, but this type of unlawful harassment of citizens is not it.

To be clear, my amendment in no way prevents Federal, State, or local officers from working with Border Patrol agents, nor does it say that Federal, State, and local officers do not have a role to play here. In fact, several border counties, including counties in Texas, already have U.S. Customs and Border Protection memoranda of understanding with State and local officials to work with immigration enforcement.

Nothing in my amendment would prevent these written agreements that lay out clear chains of command and clear codes of conduct.

What my amendment does do is prevent State and local law enforcement from acting lawlessly at the misguided direction of a Governor who refuses to work with men and women of the United States Border Patrol because he thinks he is above the law.

If my Republican colleagues reject this amendment and keep the current language, then they are supporting actions that have historically lacked due diligence to prevent harm and encourage lawlessness that leads to more dangerous instances like the one that occurred at Christmas.

If the House rejects this amendment, then it will give Governor Abbott a tool to carry out his unconstitutional border policies without Federal oversight and coordination.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman has opposition and has an offer to define ``actively assisting,'' then that would be great. However, the reality is that what is going to happen is what we have seen happen in the State of Texas where we have a Governor who has murders on his hands, as far as I am concerned, because we have had active deaths at the hands of mishandling this.

If this is going to be a Federal issue, then the Federal Government needs to be the one that is absolutely going to be over Federal law. So they can have memorandums of understanding. If that means that every single county at the border needs to go ahead and enter into a memorandum of understanding, then they need to.

Nonetheless, this is a Federal issue, it is not a State issue, and this protects federalism and makes sure that it will be under the hands of the Federal Government with this Federal law instead of State Government.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, on the last day of 2023, Texas' 30th Congressional District laid to rest a legend who served in this Chamber and was a champion of the Lone Star State: Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson passed away.

As her successor representing Texas' 30th Congressional District, I see the impact of her 30-year tenure in Congress and her half century legacy of public service everywhere I look. Whether it was securing millions of dollars in public investment to north Texas, to the thousands of jobs she helped to create under the Chips and Science Act, she led with conviction and passion.

As Chairwoman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, she was unapologetic in advocating for Texas as the future of space exploration. Thanks to her leadership, Texas is helping us go back to the Moon and beyond and has transformed into a technological powerhouse.

I have described Chairwoman Johnson as a quiet storm. She didn't need to make a lot of noise to create change, and through her tireless work for equality and equity, she made space for louder storms, like me, to continue her work.

Every member of the Texas delegation can remember a time when the chairwoman put politics aside and crossed the aisle in order to advance and better the lives of the people of the Lone Star State and American families across the country.

The country and delegation have lost a giant, but her work and legacy will continue to live on.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask that all those who are present in the Chamber as well as Members and staff throughout the Capitol please rise for a moment of silence to remember the late Honorable Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.

Mr. Speaker, for the past 12 days, the people of Texas and those serving in this Chamber have been mourning the loss of a leader, a colleague, and an advocate for change--the late Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.

She was a leader who never let political differences come at the expense of public service and regularly reached across the aisle to promote policies that advanced access to healthcare and helped our Nation dominate in technological and scientific innovation.

Chairwoman Johnson was a champion of bipartisanship, and from the Texas delegation to her colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, there are many people in this building that have benefited from her wisdom, experience, generosity, and mentorship.

I can personally say that the Texas delegation has a well-earned reputation for bipartisanship, and we continue to honor the chairwoman's legacy by finding areas where we can meet each other halfway to get things done for the 30 million Texans we are blessed to represent.

While I never served with her, I was humbled to be tapped by her as her hand-picked successor. This honor is and will continually be a reminder that I have big shoes--or in the case of the great EBJ, a fancy pair of St. John's--to fill. She believed I could; therefore, I will. Her legacy will continually be held up by me all the days that I serve in this Chamber.

There is no better way to give tribute to the chairwoman than by giving space to some of her colleagues to speak about her life and legacy in the many ways she impacted the people's House.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker Emerita.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens).

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma, Congressman Lucas.

Thank you so much, Congressman Lucas.

I can recall when she first introduced me to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas), and she had a genuine affection for their relationship, so I thank the gentleman for his kind words.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Houston, Texas (Mr. Green of Texas).

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey), who is from the other part of Dallas.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, she is a living legend. We lost her, but she will always live on in the Halls of Congress.

Leader Jeffries is unable to be here, but he tells a story that always makes me laugh. He talks about the fact that he and Chairman Horsford as freshmen were called in by Eddie Bernice. She told them: One of you all is going to lead the Special Order hour.

So they said: Okay. Yes, ma'am.

Of course, they did that. They did whatever she asked of them because she saw leadership in them probably before they saw leadership in themselves.

He tells the story about how they led a Special Order hour at the behest of Eddie Bernice Johnson.

Leader Jeffries always says that he could count on three people who would be watching: Steven's mom, his mom, and Eddie Bernice Johnson.

Mr. Speaker, as I conclude this Special Order hour, I know that if there is one person who is watching as a freshman who had to do this job and lead her first Special Order hour, I know it is Eddie Bernice Johnson.

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

Mr. Speaker, every Member here likely knows at least one family in their district whose life has been impacted by someone struggling with addiction.

This comes at a time where companies are also now trying to use the courts to avoid liability and escape having to compensate families for their role in targeting communities and peddling pills all in the name of increasing profits.

Addiction is painful and it is dangerous. It is a dangerous struggle that too many Americans suffer from. Today, this illness is exacerbated by the prevalence of fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 percent stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Because people can't see, taste, or smell it, those struggling with addiction don't even know when they are putting their life at risk.

To be clear, fentanyl is one of the leading causes of overdose- related deaths today. Now, more than ever, we need to attack this problem from a holistic approach. This is coming from, again, the gentlewoman from the State of Texas. We know that there is not just a one-trick pony on this. We have got to make sure that we address this side of it, as well as our struggles at the border.

Not only do we need more technology at our points of entry to interdict fentanyl, but we will also need to give our constituents the necessary tools to know whether or not they are about to subject themselves to fentanyl. One way to do this is to arm them with fentanyl testing strips.

I am grateful to Representative Gooden, my Republican co-lead, for supporting my bill, the Test Strip Access Act, to Senators Hassan and Cornyn for introducing it in the Senate, and to the Energy and Commerce Committee for incorporating it into the SUPPORT reauthorization.

My bill will allow fentanyl and xylazine testing strips to be purchased

under the overdose prevention programs grants. Access to these testing strips can literally mean the difference between life and death.

Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the SUPPORT Act so we can give our constituents the tools to be safe and ultimately get them the help they desperately need to treat their illness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize someone who I not only call a constituent but my pastor and a dear friend--Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III.

Pastor Haynes, born in Dallas, TX, has committed his life to not only serving within the walls of his Church--Friendship-West Baptist Church--but has made it his mission to stand up for those without a voice. Specifically, his advocacy and commitment to advancing our community can be seen through his strong continued fight for fair lending practices, advocating for just food policies, seeking much- needed criminal justice reform, and much more.

One initiative born from the vision of Dr. Haynes is the successful THRIVE Intern and Leadership Program. During the first year, the Program employed nearly 100 young black males between the ages of 16 through 19. Since its inception, the program has expanded and now employs both young men and women across North Texas. The young people intern with local businesses across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex as well as Friendship-West and are paid at a rate above minimum wage while receiving intentional mentoring and engaging in community service. This program became so successful that Dr. Haynes received recognition from President Barack Obama for the creation and success of the program.

Celebrating his 40th Pastoral Anniversary earlier this year, Pastor Haynes has remained a dynamic and powerful teacher of God's word who has been a source of hope and encouragement for many. Through his leadership, Friendship. West has grown its ministry and membership from less than 100 members in 1983 to over 13,000.

While there is much to celebrate and commend Pastor Haynes for, I'd be remiss if I didn't extend congratulations and recognition on his recent appointment as the new leader of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, one of the nation's oldest civil rights organizations. Founded in 1971 by Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition has been on the frontlines of working to make the American Dream a reality for all while advocating for peace and justice around the world. Under his leadership, I know that the organization will only grow and reach new heights in its impact on underserved communities.

It is safe to say that Pastor Haynes is a coalition builder, social activist, eloquent orator, and someone who has never forgotten about the people. He continues to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to be a Pastor. The Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV that ``But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, Neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God hath prepared for them that love him''. I'm convinced that the best is truly yet to come for Pastor Haynes, and I look forward to our continued partnership on the issues pressing our neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, they say that everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes our pride for our very first World Series win. Yes, I also rise to celebrate the World Series champions, the Texas Rangers.

On Wednesday, the Rangers clinched their first World Series win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. I don't mean to rub it in the face of my colleagues from the Grand Canyon State, but we warned you we could-- and we would--come and take it.

This week our Rangers went and took it.

I was lucky enough to represent north Texas as the first Black Democratic woman to play in the Congressional Baseball Game this year. While I may not have the arm of Josh Sborz or the speed of two-time MVP Corey Seager, you best believe our Rangers have inspired me to score some runs next year.

While this may be our first World Series win, mark my words, it will not be our last.

Mr. Speaker, this Hispanic Heritage Month I lift up the legacy of Santos Rodriguez, a child murdered by police in my home of Dallas, Texas, 50 years ago this year.

At only 12 years old, Santos was shot and killed by police in front of his brother in Dallas' Little Mexico district. He was unarmed.

Earlier this summer, I hosted a commemoration of Santos in Dallas, celebrating the tireless advocacy of his family in securing justice and change after his senseless murder.

In the years since his death, the Rodriguez family and the Latino community of North Texas have built a movement of resilience and strength in his honor.

Santos did not come into this world to become a martyr. He simply wanted to live and grow like any other child.

Today, I ask that we honor the life and the family of Santos Rodriguez not just with words but with actions.

No child should have to lose their life for the world to recognize that their life had meaning. We can and should do better for all, but especially for our kiddos.