Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brian Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, who will be ending his tenure at the end of this month.

For nearly a decade, Brian has been a driving force behind the rapid growth and rise of Equality Illinois, turning it into a powerful multi- issue advocacy organization dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ civil rights across the State.

At a time when we are seeing the LGBTQ+ community face relentless attacks, Brian has been at the helm of Equality Illinois fighting back and ensuring our State remains a safe, inclusive place for everyone.

As he enters this new chapter in his life, I wish him the best of luck and am confident that he will continue the good fight protecting and empowering the LGBTQ+ community in Illinois and across the country.

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, I had the honor of joining the Gage Park community in Chicago to celebrate the life and legacy of Rigo Padilla, a beloved son of Chicago and a trailblazer in the fight for immigrant justice.

In 2009, Rigo faced deportation, but he didn't back down. He organized, fought, and helped bring a movement to its feet.

This month marks 13 years since DACA was created. It was leaders like Rigo who helped lay the foundation for that breakthrough.

Long before DACA and before his name made national headlines, Rigo was building power among undocumented youth and demanding that this country recognize our full humanity.

This weekend, a street was named after Rigo. At a time when immigrants are once more under attack, when ICE raids, visa bans, and threats to basic rights are making families feel unsafe, his story couldn't be more urgent.

He taught us that being undocumented didn't mean being powerless. We all deserve dignity. History doesn't change on its own. People like Rigo Padilla Perez make it move. Let this honorary street and anniversary be more than a symbol. Let it be a call to action.

Supporting Mexican Musicians and Artists

Mr. Speaker, I rise to denounce this administration's move to unilaterally cancel the visas of Mexican musicians and artists.

Last week, Julion Alvarez, the proclaimed King of the Box Office, was denied entry to the U.S. and blocked from performing in back-to-back, sold-out shows at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas. This is not because of routine policy but because of targeted cultural suppression.

He is not alone. Grupo Firme and Espinoza Paz, both nominated artists for a Latin Grammy, and others have faced such abrupt denials.

Canceling visas for Mexican artists is not to mute a song. It is to try and silence a force. Mexican music is powerful. It fills stadiums. It breaks streaming records. It empowers communities. It connects generations. It drives economies on both sides of the border.

Festivals like Suenos in Chicago bring vibrancy, pride, and tourism to our cities. It is a celebration of identity. Jeopardizing it means lost jobs and sends a message that our community and our joy are not welcome.

Our culture is not fragile. It is booming. It won't be erased. It is more than a visa issue. It is a campaign to criminalize culture, demoralize communities, and create a permanent underclass.

These targeted bans on certain people, history, languages, books, and now the arts and entertainment are tactics to control, invalidate, and exclude us.

In a country that prides itself on valuing freedom, it is a threat to freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and the right to exist. This administration wants our labor without our families or our culture. They want profit from us without our voices.

It is more than a war on music. It is a war on dignity. It is a war on Mexicans, on Mexican Americans, immigrants, and all diverse communities.

We will not stay quiet. We will continue to defend our culture with pride ``that we are from here and from there''; ``que somos de aquiy de alla,'' inspired by the generations before us and encouraged for the generations after us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mike Lyczak.

Mike grew up in the Little Village community in Chicago. Like many of us, his politics were shaped by firsthand experience--fighting discrimination, Chicago machine politics and rule, and standing up for working people.

Mike wasn't just a political strategist. He was a founding architect of multiethnic, multiracial coalitions and solidarity in Chicago. He helped build the 22nd Ward Independent Political Organization, pouring his energy into electing Rudy Lozano and Harold Washington and into building a movement that could outlast any one campaign.

Mike's love for history and model-making reflected his meticulous mind. His wit brightened every room. He was a beloved husband to the late Caroline Downs and a devoted father to Benjamin Lyczak.

Mike will be deeply missed, but his legacy of courage and solidarity will live on in all of us.

Rest in power, Mike ``Lizard'' Lyczak.

Republican Tax Scam

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak against the Republican budget, a cynical plan that gives tax breaks to billionaires while ripping away healthcare and food from working families like those I represent.

This Republican tax scam would kick nearly 14 million Americans off their healthcare, leaving them without coverage.

Mr. Speaker, in my district, a mother working nights and caring for her family by day told us that she doesn't know how they will survive if Medicaid is cut.

Her child relies on it for epilepsy medication. Without it, there is no safety net. It is just fear and uncertainty. This budget slashes Medicaid and SNAP, taking food from children, from seniors, from veterans, and people with disabilities. Even Republican Senators called it morally wrong.

In my district alone, 278,000 people rely on these programs. Republicans want to take that away. We can't allow them to continue to loot this country dry. America was not built for billionaires to hoard wealth while kids go hungry. Tax them fairly and fully now.

Opposing Double Tax on Remittances

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the Trump administration's double tax on remittances. This is part of a broader war on working-class immigrants that punishes those who contribute the most to our national economy.

When immigrants send money home, they are not just helping loved ones. They are keeping entire communities afloat in countries like Mexico, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

By cutting off vital support to families abroad, this tax deepens poverty. It weakens stability. It drives more people to migrate out of desperation. Instead of asking the ultrawealthy to pay what they owe, they are shifting the burden to the people who can least afford it.

Undocumented immigrants alone pay $580 billion in Federal, State, and local taxes to our country, more than some of the ultrarich who claim patriotism but hide under their wealth and abuse the system.

It is a double standard that undermines our economy and our values. This isn't just bad policy. It is an unjust double tax on the very people who power our economy and our communities.

Mr. Speaker, during Teacher Appreciation Week, I rise to honor Jessica Suarez Nieto, a middle school teacher at Telpochcalli School, a dual language school, recently named Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education.

As a young immigrant child who didn't speak English when I arrived in the U.S., I knew firsthand the impact that teachers like Ms. Suarez can have on their students.

Ms. Suarez is a champion of dual language education. She uses language as a bridge to connect with families, affirm cultural identities, and empower students. She helps them feel seen, heard, and confident in classrooms where they are often told to shrink or stay silent. She teaches her students more than just math. She teaches them that they matter. She gives them a voice.

I thank Ms. Suarez for being an incredible teacher and for her work and deep commitment to her students.

Celebrating Centennial Anniversary of Leyden High School

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a century of excellence in public education, the 100-year anniversary of Leyden High School District No. 212, proudly serving the western suburbs of Chicago.

What began as a 2-year school in a portable building has grown into a thriving, two-campus district, East Leyden and West Leyden, now serving more than 3,300 students with over 200 dedicated teachers.

Rooted in blue and gold and soaring under the banner of the eagle, Leyden's commitment to academic and artistic excellence has inspired pride, unity, and spirit across the district's communities.

True to its mission to educate, enrich, and empower, Leyden does more than reach; it uplifts. It lives by one simple, powerful motto: Do What's Best for the Kids.

I congratulate the students, teachers, alumni, and school leaders of this century of service. Here is to the next 100.

Migrant Abduction

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm on a crisis threatening our democracy.

President Trump has defied a unanimous Supreme Court order blocking the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and, instead, vanishing him to a prison in El Salvador without a trial, without a hearing, and without a shred of justice.

This isn't just cruelty, but it is lawlessness. It is a direct assault on our values and the rule of law. He was abducted from his home and sent to a foreign prison infamously known for human rights violations. When the President defies the courts, he crosses the line into tyranny. He is even arresting judges whom he sees as standing in his way.

When tyranny takes root, no one is safe. Today, it is immigrants with tattoos, 2-year-olds, and even children with cancer. Tomorrow, it could be anyone who falls out of favor, even Republicans who don't clap long enough or make the pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago to kiss the ring.

We have to stand up for our rights and for the rule of law not just for Kilmar but for the future of our Republic.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Stickney Police Association, the oldest organization in the Village of Stickney, located in Illinois' 4th Congressional District. For a century, the members of this association have been a positive presence in the community. They have raised funds to support youth athletics, clubs, churches, schools, and both the Fire and Police departments.

Beyond their philanthropic work, the Stickney Police Association has played a vital role in building and maintaining trust within our community. They understand the importance of supporting one another and serving all members of the community with respect and care.

Our community appreciates their ongoing efforts to keep us safe and supported.

I thank the Stickney Police Association for their unwavering commitment to service and their dedication to our community and each other. Congratulations on their centennial celebration.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of Arab American Heritage Month, I rise to honor my colleague and friend, State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid.

As the first Muslim elected in the Illinois General Assembly and the only Palestinian American to serve, he is not just making history; he is crafting it. He didn't step forward for titles or recognition. He stepped forward because families and communities like his have waited long enough for homegrown leaders who carry their hopes because they know their hardships.

His presence is a testament to perseverance, principle, and the strength to stay true to community. Abdelnasser carries the hopes of generations on his shoulders. He knows his work is bigger than any one person, and he does so with quiet courage, not seeking applause, but grounded in the belief that dignity and opportunity are rights, not privileges.

Representative Rashid isn't just honoring his heritage; he is building a future.

Mr. Speaker, today, we are proud to stand with him.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 10- year anniversary of Beyond Legal Aid, a vital community-driven legal advocacy organization that has spent the last decade advancing justice from the ground up. They have successfully built a grassroots network of lawyers and advocates to address critical legal needs to close the equity gap in justice.

Their work is grounded in a fundamental truth, that an injustice to one member of our community is an injustice to all of us. Beyond Legal Aid places impacted communities at the center of their advocacy, reshaping what legal support can and should look like.

Beyond Legal Aid in Chicago has worked for 10 years to inspire and enact change across my district and has represented over 5,000 clients in immigration and housing cases.

As an ardent supporter of community-driven grassroots activism, I commend Beyond Legal Aid for 10 years of fighting against systemic inequities. I sincerely appreciate their dedication and look forward to supporting Beyond Legal Aid in building toward a world where justice is not a privilege but a birthright.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a cherished tradition in my district, the kickoff of the Burbank National Little League season. This year is special as it is the 70th year of its existence.

As a lifelong baseball fan, there is nothing quite like watching young players take the field. Their energy and determination fill me with joy and hope for the future.

Sports are more than just games. They are a powerful tool to help our children build confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of teamwork.

Burbank National Little League's mission is focused on core values, good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and respect for authority. These are the very principles that shape not just great athletes but great civic leaders.

It is all about teamwork, a true community effort. From dedicated coaches and supportive parents to local businesses and volunteers who maintain the fields and sponsor teams, everyone plays a role.

Congratulations to the Burbank National Little League on 70 incredible seasons and over 80 league local and national championships. Here is to many more.

Let's play ball.

Mr. Speaker, as we close Women's History Month, I rise to honor a few great women in my district, women like Shannon Goodrich, a leader of the Elmhurst chapter of Moms Demand Action.

Shannon joined the group after attending a fireside chat about school safety in her community. Like all parents, she was concerned about what local leaders were doing to keep children safe from the tragic epidemic of school shootings. Shannon saw that she could play an important role as a mom and as a member of her community.

Over the past 6 years, Shannon has written thousands of postcards, knocked on thousands of doors, made thousands of phone calls, and sent thousands of texts all in the name of gun violence prevention.

Shannon's passion for this work has only grown as she has met and become friends with local survivors of gun violence. Shannon works in their name and hopes to inspire many others to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Shannon for her dedication and commitment to keeping all children safe.

Honoring Dafne Henriquez

Mr. Speaker, Dafne Henriquez is a great example of what happens when we invest and encourage young women to pursue STEM careers.

Dafne was born in Mexico and is a proud graduate of Triton College and the University of Illinois Chicago, where she received a bachelor of science in civil engineering.

While at Triton College, Dafne demonstrated strong leadership as president of the Triton College Student Association and was elected student trustee, serving alongside the Triton Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2018.

Dafne was interested in merging her passions for public service and infrastructure. After a decade of serving in State and local government, she now serves as the assistant village engineer for the village of Franklin Park. As a civil engineer, Dafne's work ensures that the roadways and other infrastructure projects built in Franklin Park keep communities safe and connected.

Dafne is committed to giving back to her community by leveraging her engineering expertise to develop infrastructure that enhances safety, efficiency, and quality of life. Beyond her professional career, she has also managed to mentor and build a strong coalition of young women in the northwest suburbs committed to improving their communities.

Mr. Speaker, we thank Dafne for the work that she does for our district and for her partnership.

Recognizing Ioana Fernandez

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Ioana Fernandez, a relentless activist for kids, gun safety, inclusion, and public education.

Ioana immigrated to the U.S. from her native Romania as a young woman and settled in Chicago where she has developed a successful career in public relations and communications and where she is raising her family.

As a community activist, she actively participates in organizing and advocating for a future in which children don't have to fear for their lives when they go to school.

As a communicator, her work is inclusive and reflective of the diversity of our country.

As an advocate, Ioana is committed to uplifting working families and ensuring that elected officials are accountable to the people they represent.

Ioana is an organizer and a changemaker. Ioana's impact can be felt across DuPage County.

Thanks to her efforts, more people are engaged, informed, and ready to stand up for what is right.

Mr. Speaker, she leads with her heart and never backs down, and we thank her for all the work that she does.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Espaillat for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to a giant who represented the State of Arizona and all the people of his district but who also helped advance the well-being of our Nation.

Arizona has lost a giant, and I lost a dear friend. Raul Grijalva and I both started our careers as community advocates and organizers. We shared a passion for justice and equality in our communities. We both came from working-class families, proud of our Mexican roots, and we both enjoyed a good laugh and a good mariachi. So it was just natural that we would become friends since I arrived in the House over 6 years ago.

As chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, he fought for strong environmental protections and authored the Environmental Justice For All Act to empower people to protect their communities. He wanted a cleaner, safer, and more just future for all our children. He was also a staunch defender of Tribal sovereignty and workers' rights.

When he was chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, he asked me to serve for one term as his vice chair. It was during that time that Illinois helped facilitate an act in the State of Illinois that required Federal cooperation in that regard as we helped facilitate the recognition of Illinois' first Prairie Band of Potawatomi peoples in the State of Illinois which just last week resulted in the transfer of over 1,500 acres to those Native Americans, the original inhabitants of the land in Illinois.

I was honored to work with him to help the people of Puerto Rico receive the long-promised assistance they needed after Hurricane Maria.

Raul believed that our country's strength is rooted in our immigrant heritage and worked tirelessly to protect immigrant families and refugees. Whether trying to pass the American Dream and Promise Act, treating immigrants with dignity or stopping the construction of an ineffective and environmentally damaging border wall, Raul never gave up.

One of Raul's favorite songs was ``El Rey.'' It means the king, and in particular the line that says: ``It is not only about getting there first, but about how you get there,'' ``No hay que llegar primero, pero hay que saber llegar.''

And what you do along the way, if I may add. I think this phrase perfectly describes the tenacity of everything that Raul Grijalva did and stood for.

Raul was a loving father, husband, and a loyal friend. His kindness and dedication will be sorely missed in the Halls of Congress. Tonight we pay a tribute, and we say: Thank you for everything that you contributed to advancing the well-being of people across our land.

Mr. Speaker, for Women's History Month, I rise to honor the parent leaders from The Resurrection Project known as Las Mamas de Back of the Yards, or the Back of the Yards Moms, a powerhouse of immigrant women who are the heart and soul of their community on Chicago's South Side.

Mothers like Consuelo, Lorena, Alma, Maria, Ofelia, Martha, Zuleyman, Victoria, Gabriela, and Sylvia show us what real leadership looks like.

They educate neighbors on their rights, organize rapid responses when raids threaten families, distribute food when the fridge is empty, and keep our youth safe and supported.

From city hall to Washington, and right inside our schools, these women ensure that their voices and their community voices are heard.

They are respected, admired, and deeply rooted in the Back of the Yards, and, yes, they keep people like me on our toes, always causing good trouble.

In honoring them, we honor the power of immigrant women everywhere, their courage and commitment, and the fight for a better future for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I thank them, I stand with them, and I celebrate them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago on their 50th anniversary and to recognize the enduring legacy of Gale Cincotta, a fearless leader for housing justice.

Gale understood that owning a home was not just about having a place to live, it was about stability, opportunity, and the chance to build a future, a better future. She took on fighting the banks against redlining and was a champion of the Community Reinvestment Act and never backed down in her pursuit of fairness for working families.

During the early 1980s, I had the privilege of working at NHS to see how access to affordable housing could change lives. I saw struggling families become thriving homeowners. I saw struggling neighborhoods revitalized into thriving communities. NHS has shaped many lives. It certainly played a pivotal role early in my own formation.

Our work is far from over. Families are still being priced out. Displacement and gentrification are still impacting families, and the access to these programs is under attack.

Today we celebrate NHS for 50 incredible years but also recommit to the fight for housing justice.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, I rise to recognize Joann Williams, a dedicated leader in Illinois' Fourth Congressional District and a pillar of the LeClaire- Hearst community on Chicago's southwest side.

Joann is a U.S. Army disabled veteran who has dedicated her life to service both in uniform and in her neighborhood. She has spent decades being a driving force of opportunity, making sure to uplift her community and ensure that other veterans receive the respect that they deserve.

As the founder of the Hearst Community Organization, she has fought for jobs and public spaces and to secure critical resources to help people lead better lives. Her dedication reflects the resilience we honor this month.

Mr. Speaker, Joann's unwavering service has left a lasting impact and touched countless families. I thank her for her sacrifice to our country and her service to community.

Mr. Speaker, during Black History Month, I rise today to honor Ronelle Mustin, a fearless champion for justice whose activism has shaped movements and transformed communities.

Ronelle was a founding force behind the first organization to demand sanctions against South Africa's apartheid regime.

In 1979, as co-chair of the Chicago Peace Council, he fought to curb excessive U.S. military spending and redirect resources to those in need.

Ronelle's impact runs deep in Chicago. As a key architect of the 22nd Ward Independent Political Organization, Ronelle helped pave the way for Harold Washington's historic election as the city's first Black mayor in 1983.

For decades, he has been a relentless advocate for equity, justice, and true representation. His work has empowered countless voices and strengthened our democracy.

Mr. Speaker, Ronelle's legacy is one of courage and conviction. I thank him for his unwavering dedication to justice and for his friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because a billionaire with unchecked power is calling the shots in our government.

I am outraged that President Trump is enabling this unelected billionaire donor Musk to wreak havoc on our Federal workers, dismantle critical Federal agencies, and even gain access to the personal data of millions of Americans without any vetting, security clearance, or congressional approval.

The richest man in the world should not have access to our payment systems for him to decide whether you should or should not receive payments such as Social Security benefits or Medicaid.

For the past few weeks, my office has been flooded with messages from concerned constituents wondering about the impact that Trump and Musk's actions will have on their lives.

While Republicans and Trump look with a blind eye, Musk exploits the system for his own benefit. I refuse to stay silent. Billionaires like him may think they can buy our democracy, but, we, the people, will fight back.