Welcoming the Honorable Vince Fong to the House of Representatives

Floor Speech

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Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to stand before you as the Representative of the 20th District of the great State of California. I am truly honored, humbled, and grateful to be given this opportunity by the voters to serve and be a strong voice for our region.

It is truly more special to have been sworn in with my family here in the gallery. I thank my wife, Amanda, for her love and support. I thank my parents, my mother-in-law, my sister, and all of our family for always being by my side. I especially acknowledge my niece, Evie, who is celebrating her ninth birthday with us today.

I also especially thank my mentor and friend, Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He has worked tirelessly for decades on behalf of the constituents of the Central Valley of California and our Nation.

In traveling the 20th Congressional District, listening to my neighbors, constituents, and friends throughout Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties, I know that our concerns are very familiar with the concerns that all of you have heard: We must do more to find solutions and to deliver results. We need to address the border crisis, stop the rising costs of everyday essentials that are squeezing our family budgets, and work to keep our communities safe. We must strengthen our crumbling infrastructure, find long-term solutions to water and energy resources, especially out West, and create more career and educational opportunities. We must support our military installations.

I personally thank the men and women at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the Indian Wells Valley, Naval Air Station Lemoore, Edwards Air Force Base in the Antelope Valley, and the Fresno Air National Guard for their service and sacrifice defending our great Nation.

I certainly anticipate passionate discourse that is expected of us. There is certainly no shortage of challenges facing our Nation, my State of California, and my district, but this is also the moment where we together can make the most positive impact.

I was born and raised in the Central Valley, the son of a local pharmacist who moved his family to Bakersfield, California, for new opportunities, never imagining that one day he would witness his son speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives. Our region is known for its grit, its perseverance, and its generosity driven by faith, family, and patriotism. I am blessed to call it my home.

In closing, I look forward to serving and working alongside all of you to address our Nation's challenges and to ensure that the voices of the congressional district my neighbors have entrusted to me are heard every single day in these Halls of Congress.

We can tackle these challenges head-on and leave a better and stronger America for future generations.

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