Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of the Honorable Mildred C. Crump, a visionary leader and trailblazer from my beloved city of Newark, New Jersey. Mildred was a woman of many ``firsts'' and her wisdom, guidance, and unwavering belief in justice helped shape my life and career--and transformed the lives of so many others. As the first African American woman elected to the Newark City Council and as the council's first woman president, Mildred broke barriers and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to equity, justice, and community empowerment.

Her dedication to improving the lives of others--whether through her pioneering work as New Jersey's first African American Braille teacher or her tireless advocacy for housing, education, and civil rights--has left an everlasting mark on our city, state, and Nation. Council President Crump was more than a role model. She was a relentless advocate and champion for people, and a brilliant community strategist. She blazed a path for so many and was always a source of unwavering support for those of us who had the honor of learning from her. Mildred's leadership, compassion, and vision will be profoundly missed.

All Newarkers mourn the loss of this exceptional woman. I send my deepest condolences to her children, Larry and Sheri, and all her loved ones. I know Mildred's legacy and impact will live on. It lives on in me and many others.

I thank Mildred C. Crump, on behalf of all the little Black and brown girls she has inspired and provided a light to shine. We love you forever.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate the life of Honorable

Mildred C. Crump, a visionary leader and trailblazer from my beloved city of Newark, New Jersey, who passed away this past Sunday, December 1, 2024.

Mildred was a woman of many firsts. Her wisdom, guidance, and unwavering belief in justice helped shape my life and career and transformed the lives of so many others. As the first African-American woman elected to the Newark City Council and as the council's first woman president, Mildred broke barriers and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to equity, justice, and community empowerment.

Her dedication to improving the lives of others, whether through her pioneering work as New Jersey's first African-American braille teacher or her tireless advocacy for housing, education, and civil rights, has left an everlasting mark on our city, State, and Nation.

Council President Crump was more than a role model. She was a relentless advocate and champion for people and a brilliant community strategist. She blazed a path for so many and was always a source of unwavering support.

For those of us who had the honor of learning from her, we are grateful for her. Mildred's leadership, compassion, and vision will be profoundly missed. All Newarkers mourn the loss of this exceptional woman.

I send my deepest condolences to her children, Larry and Sheri, the rest of her family, and her loved ones.

I know Mildred's legacy and impact will live on. It lives in me and many others.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mildred C. Crump on behalf of all the little Black and Brown girls she inspired and provided a light to shine. We will love her forever.

Mr. Speaker, Leader Jeffries, Congressman Pallone, my great colleagues in the New Jersey delegation, I am deeply humbled and honored that the people of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District have put their faith in me to give them a bold voice in the United States House of Representatives.

I recognize my mom, my dad, sisters, husband, my bright 8-year-old daughter, and friends and extended family. I thank them so much for traveling here from New Jersey to be with me.

I express my deepest gratitude to those who have provided mentorship and guidance throughout my career. A few of those folks are here today, like my New Jersey State Chairman, Leroy Jones, who is here watching tonight.

Tonight, I walk in the footsteps of those who have come before me. The city of Newark, my lifelong home, has produced fierce, unyielding leaders who have dedicated their lives and careers to the pursuit of justice.

My predecessor, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., embodied the vibrant spirit of our city and the people he faithfully served. He was an example to many of us.

As I stand before my colleagues tonight, I pay tribute to him, and both deeply feel and will always miss his presence and his leadership.

While I walk in the footsteps of those who came before me, it is my hope to blaze new trails together on the march toward fully realizing the promise of our great American Nation.

I personally thank my mayor, Ras J. Baraka, who introduced me to politics at the age of 10. It is fitting that he is here tonight with us.

It was in those years that I saw up close how government at all levels could impact daily life in our communities, how even small changes have the ability to add up to transformational progress.

I later had the opportunity and privilege to serve my city as a member of the Newark City Council and as council president.

As I stand here tonight, I am filled with more optimism than ever before that we can accomplish so much together, that we can find common ground, that we can disagree while nurturing our democracy, that we can bring the voices of our beautiful, diverse communities together, and that we can protect and strengthen the freedoms and opportunities that make America, America.

I cannot be more proud and grateful that the people of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District have entrusted me to carry forward their will in this House, for which I thank all of them.

May God bless the 10th District, and God bless America.