Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate National Black History Month, I pay tribute to a Detroit-born African-American leader, Joe Tate, who became the first African-American man elected as Speaker of the Michigan State House this year.

Speaker Joe Tate, the son of a firefighter, played football at Michigan State and later in the NFL. He also served in Afghanistan as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

I am honored to have Speaker Tate as my guest for tonight's State of the Union Address.

Along with Joe Tate, today I also honor Congresswoman Barbara-Rose Collins, the first Black woman elected to Congress from Michigan, who worked tirelessly to break down barriers.

I proudly served with Mr. Tate in the Michigan House and look forward to working with him for a better Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, Detroit is a city of firsts, likely the site of the first urban freeway built in the U.S., where Henry Ford manufactured his first car, and the birthplace of the U.S. auto industry.

Yes, this city bleeds authentic Americana and yearns for a renaissance. However, my district is at a crossroads.

In the 13th Congressional District, businesses are beginning to hire more people, which means more traffic on the roads and more people using our public transportation system.

Metro Detroit was renowned for having one of the worst public transportation networks of any large city in the Nation even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

While others work from home, many jobs require in-person work. Public transportation is still necessary, and demand might rise in the future.

I applaud the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act during the last Congress. Still, there needs to be a strong emphasis on infrastructure goals.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to stand in this well and represent the people of Michigan's 13th Congressional District.

Last week, for the first time in 100 years, the House failed to organize on opening day. As a new Member of Congress, I found it to be a sad day for this body as an institution, a sad day for democracy, and a sad day for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, House Democrats are united and prepared to try to find common ground with the other side of the aisle to solve problems on behalf of the American people, but I am not sure if I will find a willing partner across the aisle because of extreme viewpoints.

The start of the 118th Congress has, in its short time of existence, seen some sad days. These sad days must stop now. Let's get to work.