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Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as Ilhan Omar. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
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June 24, 2026
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Extensions of Remarks
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. ILHAN OMAR
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the East Phillips neighborhood in my district as they celebrate their successful efforts to decide the fate of their community.
East Phillips has long faced environmental injustice. The modern history of this struggle started in 1994 when high levels of arsenic were discovered in soil and groundwater due to decades of pesticide production. It was designated a Superfund site in 2007, and over 50,000 tons of contaminated soil were removed over the course of four years. We will never know how many lives were cut short before this poison was cleaned up.
The fight didn't stop there. For years, residents had sounded the alarm about two factories in their neighborhood: an asphalt manufacturer and a metal foundry. Residents shared stories for years about their experiences—how they couldn't open their windows in the summer because of the smell of tar or metal. How metal dust would cover the surfaces of their homes and yards. How the kids at the daycare down the street couldn't spend time outside because of this pollution.
advocates, and non-profits joined forces to say that enough is enough. They organized to demand that state regulators set an end-date for one of these factories. They reported violations to the Environmental Protection Agency for the second, leading to an unannounced inspection that found multiple violations of the Clean Air Act. The inspection validated what neighbors had been saying for years, and that foundry closed shortly thereafter.
ownership of the Roof Depot site, in collaboration with non-profit organizations, state legislators, and allies on the Minneapolis City Council. The East Philips Neighborhood Institute had a vision for a community-led alternative to a proposed public works facility that would mean increased heavy truck traffic and continued industrial activity. With broad support from the people who call this neighborhood home, the Roof Depot will be redeveloped into an urban farm, affordable housing, and space for small businesses and community organizations.
the ideas of community and self-determination. East Philips shows us all what can happen when we work together for the common good. Please join me in thanking everyone who played a role in getting us to this moment and celebrating what the future holds for this neighborhood.