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Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as Teresa Leger Fernandez.
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June 24, 2026
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Download official House Record PDFReturn to issue contextMs. Leger Fernandez of New Mexico was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.)
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, New Mexico and Washington State rise today to honor the life of Juniper Blessing. Juniper was my constituent and attended the New Mexico School for the Arts High School.
and, yes, sometimes angst. Madam Speaker, don't we all remember wondering who we are, wondering what our lives will look like beyond high school.
At that age, every joy shines brighter. Every fear cuts deeper. Every dream feels possible.
Juniper lived all of that and more. She was smart, funny, curious, energetic, and fiercely herself. She loved music, rainstorms, her dogs, her family, and the natural world.
She looked at the world with wonder and questions. She looked at Santa Fe's glorious thunder, lightning, and rainbows and said: I want to know more.
and meteorology. She wanted to understand the mysteries of the atmosphere, the beauty and power of the world around us.
But for many, Juniper will always be remembered for her voice. She had the voice of an angel whose music filled classrooms, stages, and community gatherings. Her voice soared beyond the school walls and into the hearts of everyone who heard her.
Juniper
off to college in Washington both proud and worried. They were proud because she was becoming exactly who she was meant to be, and they were worried because loving a child means carrying their hopes and dreams alongside your own.
Friends remember reassuring hugs. They remember someone who noticed when others felt afraid, different, or alone. That kind of compassion leaves a mark that never disappears, and Juniper's voice will never be silent in our memories.
her from her grieving family and community, we must also honor the blessing that is Juniper. The tragedy of her death must not overshadow the beauty of her life.
I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Jayapal).
Ms. JAYAPAL. I thank the gentlewoman for those beautiful words and also for sharing this moment of celebration of Juniper Blessing and her life.
She was deeply loved and respected for who she was. At just 19 years old, she had already made her mark, and the tragedy of her murder leaves an incredible sense of pain in our community.
commitment to her family, friends, and our entire community that we will continue to honor Juniper's incredible life, spirit, and light.
commitment to justice. An incredibly talented woman, she shared her joy with our community through the arts and her singing voice. She said that her participation at the University of Washington's production of “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a musical response to the murder of a gay college student, was the most powerful thing she had ever been a part of.
She was beloved on campus. Just a few weeks ago, the University of Washington community took part in an honor walk across campus carrying pieces of her memorial from Red Square to Mary Gates Hall where a new memorial will remain through September as a place for reflection and remembrance.
cry of love to all our transgender students at the University of Washington and across the country and a display of our strength and commitment that comes in times of tragedy to embrace even more tightly the right to freely and safely express who you are.
across the country, know that you are loved, and we will never stop fighting for the right for everyone to be who they are.