Many Thanks to the Village Who Has Supported Me These Last 2 Years

Floor Speech

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Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, as we get close to the end of the 118th Congress, my first term representing the greatly diverse Illinois Third Congressional District, I rise in full gratitude for all of those who have supported me and held me during these not-so-easy 2 years in what we call the people's House.

We have heard that it takes a village to represent, to fight, and to deliver for our communities. However, recently, 219 Members of this body opted to persecute the village, passing a bill that puts all of civil society at risk. They took that action at the precise moment we should be uplifting and celebrating civil society as the first and most resilient line of defense for many vulnerable communities.

Without a robust civil society, countries can descend into instability, their governments becoming more prone to authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and the erosion of democratic freedoms.

While some of my colleagues came to the floor to do harm to civil society, I have come to the floor to commend the countless nonprofit organizations, faith communities, schools and universities, advocacy groups, and cultural institutions that compose the powerful civil society of Illinois' Third Congressional District.

Since my time as the executive director of a nonprofit in Chicago, I have seen community organizations nurture and sustain a healthy democracy by providing lifesaving services, including housing and warm meals while holding those in power accountable.

It is clear that strengthening, repairing, and defending our democracy is not solely the work of government. It requires the fabric of our communities, it requires civil organizations who are weaving their work together on the front lines to protect, to defend, and to enrich our communities and our neighborhoods.

Today, I am grateful for faith communities like the member institutions of the Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance and DuPage United; for community organizations like Onward Neighborhood House, La Casa Norte, and Habitat for Humanity DuPage; for schools and universities like Northeastern University's El Centro and North Park University; for early childhood centers like Educare DuPage and Chicago Commons; for human rights advocates like Palenque LSNA and AFIRE; for cultural organizations like the National Veterans Art Museum and the Mexican Cultural Center of DuPage.

There are too many strong civil society organizations to name. To the many, many civil service organizations across Illinois Third, I want to say, ``thank you,'' ``gracias.'' I appreciate the opportunities and possibilities they create for our neighbors independent of their ZIP Code, independent of their citizenship status or past actions, and the way they keep me rooted in a community ready to fight like hell for our neighbors.

As I celebrate the work of civil society, I also want to uplift the team that puts in the long hours, that makes so many sacrifices for the people of Illinois Third, and who are seldom mentioned and seldom seen in public. That team is my staff.

My staff, who despite the challenges of this Congress and despite a Congress that oftentimes negates the humanity of their own family, has used their professional and lived experiences to introduce and champion transformative and progressive legislation, has pushed the government to work for our constituents and deliver resources back to Illinois Third, and has ensured our neighbors receive the lifesaving services that they deserve.

To my entire team: Ellen, Luis, Claudia, Karsen, Deepa, Noemi, Jowen, Marina, Daniela, Valeria, Kat, Jennifer, Nataly, Vianey, Micaela, Magda, Levi, and Rogelio, as well as the countless interns, fellows, and past staffers who have supported our work, I say thank you. They are seen, they are appreciated, and I am so proud to have worked with them in this first term and as we prepare ourselves for the next.

Through gratitude I find hope. Both the community at home and the team I have here in Congress have reminded me that in uncertain times one thing is certain: Our communities are prepared to organize, to protect each other, and to unite no matter what the next 4 years brings us. I am forever grateful and I am ready.

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