Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Hanna Yun for her service to Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Having grown up in Korea, Hanna is a strong voice for Korean and immigrant communities in Kentucky's Third District. She is currently serving her second term as the President of the Korean American Association of Kentuckiana, and is an activist, volunteer, and leader in outreach. I thank Hanna for her commitment to Louisville's immigrant communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jackie Floyd as part of Women's History Month.

As a civil rights activist and icon, Jackie Floyd has been a lifelong advocate for the Russell neighborhood and its community members. She has inspired generations of Louisvillians to get engaged and come together to work toward a common goal. Jackie is a steadfast champion of equality and I thank her for her tremendous dedication to Louisville.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sherry Connors as part of Women's History Month.

As the first female elected Mayor of Shively in Jefferson County, Sherry has broken down barriers for women in local politics across Kentucky. She has helped break down barriers and serves as an inspiration to many. I thank Sherry for her service to our community and her work as a dedicated public servant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer Moore as part of Women's History Month.

Jennifer has dedicated her life to representing people who have been injured as a result of medical negligence, harmful drugs and devices, and other personal injuries. As the founder of her own law firm, she never backs down from a fight and is always willing to give a voice to the voiceless. I thank Jennifer for her tireless advocacy in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rebecca Jackson as part of Women's History Month.

In 1998, Rebecca Jackson made history as the first woman elected Jefferson County judge executive. Her decades-long commitment to Louisville as an educator, activist, and public servant is nothing short of inspirational. I thank Rebecca for her service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Denise Clayton for her incredible service to Kentucky's Third District.

As a Louisville native and graduate of the University of Louisville's Brandeis School of Law, Denise was the first Black woman to serve on the Kentucky Court of Appeals, which she currently serves on as chief justice. Her dedication to break down barriers serves as an inspiration to many across Louisville. I thank Denise for her commitment to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor civil rights icon Ms. Ruby Hyde, or as many of us from Louisville call her, Ms. Smoketown, for her unwavering commitment to equality.

Ruby has been a community activist for decades. As the founder of the Smoketown Heritage Festival, she has dedicated herself to honoring and uplifting Louisvillians from all walks of life. From her passion for equality to her volunteer work with Wayside Ministries, Ruby is a shining example of what it means to be a leader. I thank Ruby for everything she does for our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Phoebe Wood as part of Women's History Month.

As one of Louisville's most active angel investors, Phoebe was named the 2016 Business First Louisville Woman of Achievement, and was named to the Junior Achievement Kentuckiana Business Hall of Fame in 2019. She currently chairs the board of trustees for the American Printing House for the Blind, demonstrating her continued commitment to some of our most vulnerable communities. I thank Phoebe for her service to Kentucky's Third District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Kimberly Boland for her leadership at the University of Louisville.

Dr. Boland is the chair of the University of Louisville's Department of Pediatrics, and is a leader in the improvement of medical education both in the community and across our country. She also serves as the chief of staff for North Children's Hospital ensuring our children have access to the best care. Her dedication to community advocacy has set a generation of medical students up for success. I thank Dr. Boland for everything she does for Louisville.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Karina Barillas for her dedication to Louisville's Latin American community.

A native of Guatemala, Karina came to the United States as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Louisville. She has spent her career advocating for women's rights, and as executive director of La Casita Center in my district, champions the well-being of our city's Latin American community.

She is a steadfast champion for women and immigrant rights, and I thank her for her service to Louisville.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Carmellia Jackson- Hurley for her commitment to the Louisville community.

As executive director of Louisville Girls Leadership, she provides young girls in Louisville opportunities to grow their self-development and leadership skills through education, advocacy, and action. Carmellia also works as a therapist, helping members of our community heal.

Her work to inspire the next generation of women leaders means a great deal to me and so many Louisvillians. I thank Carmellia for her service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth Wessels- Martin for her tremendous service to Louisville.

Her work as the CEO of the Center for Women and Families has helped so many community members at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Louisville's Center for Women and Families serves community members who are victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, offering them safety and comfort. Elizabeth's dedication to addressing domestic violence and helping victims recover and rebuild their lives is inspiring. I thank her for her service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reba Doutrick for her lifelong commitment to making Louisville a better place to live.

Reba has been an activist throughout her life, having worked with the Louisville Arena Authority, Harbor House, Louisville Redevelopment Authority, Louisville Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, and Southwest Hospital. I thank Reba for her tireless dedication to our community.

Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago this Monday, in the middle of the night, without warning, four Louisville Metro Police Department officers bashed in the door of a 26-year-old woman's home.

Startled and terrified, as any of us would be, she and her boyfriend leapt from bed. Her boyfriend grabbed his gun and fired a single shot in the direction of the intruders.

In the barrage of return fire, she was killed in her home, cowering by her bed from intruders she never knew were police.

Then silence.

It took 2 months before we learned that that woman was Breonna Taylor.

Laurie Anderson said:

You die three times. First, when your heart stops. Second,

when you are cremated or buried. And third is the last time

someone says your name.

Say her name. Breonna Taylor.

Breonna Taylor was a caregiver from a young age, an EMT who saved lives; a young woman looking for her American Dream, not just a nameless victim.

Breonna Taylor was loved and had so much to give. Breonna Taylor's math teacher called her brilliant, saying, ``she had a beautiful mind and she was very helpful to others.

Breonna Taylor was someone's sister.

Breonna Taylor was someone's girlfriend.

Breonna Taylor was someone's daughter.

Breonna Taylor was someone.

Breonna Taylor was 26 years old, with dreams, plans, and her whole life in front of her.

We will never forget how Breonna Taylor died.

We also have to remember how she lived; that is the life that was taken that night: 26 years old, convicted of no crime, charged with no crime. Didn't even know it was the police who had broken into her home.

It took 2 months before we even knew to say Breonna Taylor's name.

It was 2 months of the LMPD hoping Breonna Taylor's death would be swept under the rug.

We know that LMPD was there without probable cause on a deliberately falsified warrant.

We know that this extreme tragic, horrific killing was not an isolated incident.

We know this because yesterday, 5 days before the third anniversary of Breonna Taylor's death, the United States Department of Justice released a report that unequivocally found disturbing patterns of systemic racism within the LMPD.

This report is based on an exhaustive, nearly 2-year-long investigation into the LMPD. But there is nothing in these pages we didn't already know.

Still, the report is damning. It is heartbreaking to read.

However, this report is a beginning, and not an end. We should seize this moment to right past wrongs and protect everyone in our community.

But let's not forget, Breonna Taylor should be alive today. Her mom would rather have Breonna alive than a report.

Breonna Taylor's death should not have been the catalyst for change and accountability. We should have addressed this a long time ago.

Breonna Taylor deserves justice and, while we can't bring her back for her family and friends, we can help keep Breonna's spirit alive.

We should remember Breonna Taylor as the funny, bright, caring, and loving young woman she was, and carry her memory with us as we take action to demand real, lasting change.

Let's say her name. Breonna Taylor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize UPS and celebrate the 35th anniversary of UPS Airlines' first flight. From its founding as a small bike messenger operation, UPS has grown into one of the most recognized brands in the world, and it continues to be a shining example of good corporate citizenship.

Thirty-five years ago, UPS did what many, including the Federal Aviation Administration, said could not be done--it built an airline in less than a year. UPS Airlines remains the fastest built airline in FAA history, and 3 decades later, it is one of the world's largest, safest, and most on-time airlines, moving the equivalent of 6 percent of the U.S. economy and 2 percent of global economy in goods and services through its supply chain each day.

Louisville is the proud home of UPS Airlines' primary global hub, Worldport, a facility that processes more than 2 million packages every day, employs more than 20,000 hardworking Kentuckians, serves nearly 800 airports worldwide, and plays a critical role in the supply chain ecosystem year-round. Over decades of global supply chain changes, UPS Airlines has remained a constant, providing good-paying jobs for hardworking Louisville families and adapting to ensure reliability for both customers and consumers.

On this 35th anniversary, I'm honored to recognize the tireless work of UPS Airlines serving our communities and creating pathways to success for thousands of employees across the Nation.