Welcoming the Honorable Gabe Amo to the House of Representatives

Floor Speech

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Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, the people of Rhode Island's First Congressional District have elected a Representative with the character, the credentials, and the commitment to be an effective Member of this body from day one.

As one of the original 13 States, Rhode Island has been electing Representatives to the House since 1790. In those 233 years, Rhode Island has never sent an African American or any person of color to Congress until today, but Gabe Amo will be the first to tell you, Mr. Speaker, that he did not come here to make history. He came here to make a difference.

He came to make a difference for working people like his parents, who immigrated to the United States from Ghana and Liberia. Gabe's mother, Weady, is a nurse. His father, Gabriel, runs the family's liquor store. They came to America because they believe in the promise of this country.

They settled in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a diverse, blue-collar city of brick mills and triple-decker houses where people value a hard day's work. This is where Gabe Amo comes from.

He has chosen to devote his career to public service, working in the Rhode Island State House for then-Governor Gina Raimondo and in the White House for President Obama and President Biden.

By the way, a shout-out to the staffers who do not get enough credit in this town.

Mr. Speaker, can we have a round of applause for them, please.

Now in Congress, Gabe is ready to fight for the America that inspired his parents all those years ago, an America where workers can get fair pay and benefits and the right to join a union like his mother did; an America where immigrants like Gabe's parents are welcomed to this country with kindness and not with cruelty; an America that stands with democracies and not dictators; an America where freedom means freedom for everybody, including women to make their own healthcare decisions and LGBTQ Americans to marry the person they love; and an America where we have the God-given right to choose our own leaders and not have the results challenged and denied by the losing side.

I have known Gabe Amo since we were both teenagers, and I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, he has the values, the commitment to America, and a love for service that runs deep.

He is the right person to serve in this House at this moment, and it gives me great pleasure to introduce, for the first time as our colleague, the gentleman from Rhode Island, Gabe Amo.

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