Recognizing Peter Cottontale for Hip Hop History Month

Floor Speech

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Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Hip Hop History Month, I rise to honor Grammy award-winning music producer, director, and composer, Peter Wilkins, or better known as, Peter Cottontale.

Peter's visionary artistry has profoundly shaped the music scene of our city, Chi-town, and beyond. As a close collaborator of Chance the Rapper and a founding member of The Social Experiment, Peter's talents have contributed to Grammy-winning projects that honor and elevate Chicago's people, our shared struggle, our sense of community, and our unique creative opportunity to serve others.

His fingerprints can also be found in the music of SZA, Lil Wayne, and J. Cole, as well as hometown heroes like Jamila Woods, Noname, and Vic Mensa. As the owner of RCM Studios in Avondale in the Illinois Third District, Peter is cultivating inclusive, joyful spaces for local talent.

Cottontale's work is not just music; it is a movement toward innovation and a movement toward unity. On behalf of Illinois' Third District, I commend Peter Cottontale for his contributions to hip-hop and music history and for reminding us of the power of music to unite communities.

Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations to Peter. Honoring Nelly Lema for Preserving the Culture and History of the Native Kichwa People

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Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker:

(English translation of the statement made in Spanish by Mrs. Ramirez is as follows:)

In commemoration of Native American Heritage Month, I rise to honor my constituent, Nelly Lema, a community leader committed to preserving the culture and history of the native Kichwa people of Ecuador.

As the President of the Kichwa Community of Chicago, Nelly has built community and strengthened the cultural identity for the Kichwa people who today call Chicago home.

Through cultural performances, workshops, culturally competent classes, civic dialogue, and policymaking, she has emboldened the Kichwa people to preserve the language, traditions, and identity of their people.

Sharing space with Kichwa musicians, artists, and elders who contribute their talents and knowledge, she fosters a welcoming space for her community to feel recognized, seen, and valued.

Nelly's efforts remind us of the importance of uplifting diasporic Indigenous Latine communities, both in the United States and globally.

Mr. Speaker, I commend and thank Nelly for her incredibly necessary work as a cultural steward and community leader.

Mr. Speaker, En conmemoracion del Mes de la Herencia Nativa Americana, deseo honrar a mi constituyente, Nelly Lema, una lider comunitaria comprometida con la preservacion de la cultura y la historia del pueblo nativo Kichwa de Ecuador.

Como presidenta de la Comunidad Kichwa de Chicago, Nelly ha construido una comunidad y fortalecido la identidad cultural de una comunidad Kichwa que hoy considera a Chicago su hogar.

A traves de espectaculos culturales, talleres, clases culturalmente competentes, dialogo civico y advocacia por politicas publicas, ha alentado a Kichwas en Chicago a preservar su idioma, sus tradiciones y su identidad como pueblo.

Al compartir espacio con musicos, artistas y personas de la tercera edad kichwa que brindan sus talentos y conocimientos, fomenta un espacio acogedor para que su comunidad se sienta reconocida, vista y valorada.

Los esfuerzos de Nelly nos recuerdan la importancia de elevar a las comunidades latinas indigenas de la diaspora tanto en los Estados Unidos como a nivel mundial. La felicito por su trabajo increiblemente necesario como administradora cultural y lider comunitaria.

Gracias, Nelly.

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Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Metra and all of its employees on their 40th anniversary of delivering public transportation services for communities in Illinois' Third Congressional District.

Metra is essential to our work in Illinois to build a strong, vibrant regional economy. Public transportation connects residents of Illinois' Third Congressional District to high-quality jobs, public amenities, and local businesses from DuPage County to downtown Chicago and beyond.

When public transportation provides reliable, affordable, and accessible service, the benefits go beyond economic development and opportunity. We can achieve cleaner environments, better family health outcomes, and safer communities.

It is why I am proud to have secured $8 million in Federal funds for the Illinois Department of Transportation's Rail Crossing Elimination program to support the separation of train traffic from pedestrians and cars in the Franklin Park community in my district, a project that will improve safety and mobility for local residents in my district.

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Metra and its commuter rail service, I will continue advocating for policies and investments that support public transit environments, strengthen green, resilient infrastructure, and expand choice and equity in our transportation systems.

Mr. Speaker, I thank everyone at Metra for their service and for connecting our communities. Let's continue rolling together toward a brighter future.

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