Welcoming the Honorable Lamonica McIver to the House of Representatives

Floor Speech

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Mrs. McIVER. 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.

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