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Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as Jesús García.
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July 14, 2026
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Download official House Record PDFReturn to issue contextMr. Garcia of Illinois was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.)
Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life and work of Beatrice “Bea” Lumpkin, a union organizer, workers' rights activist, academic, and writer who passed away on June 14 at the age of 107 years.
fighter for civil rights. She was called by some the rock of the labor movement, because she grounded us and taught us how to stay committed to the search for justice and equity for those without power.
Bea marched along with Dr. Martin Luther King in Chicago and was an ally of the Black Panther Party. She was present at every key moment of our labor and civil rights movement for nearly 90 years, up to the recent No Kings marches.
was 14 years old. She helped organize the Metal and Machinery Workers Industrial Union, a part of the newly formed Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Wisconsin Steel, the plant her husband, Frank, worked at, abruptly closed and 3,400 workers lost their jobs. For 17 years, the Lumpkins led a successful fight for those workers to receive back pay.
youth activists and joined the Starbucks workers as they began organizing.
justice, the rights of retired workers, and consumer protection against overcharges from utility companies.
Mr. Speaker, Bea believed our job is to make the world a better place. She found joy in the work she did and inspired others, including me, to continue fighting. The labor movement has lost a giant.
Rest in power, Bea Lumpkin.
Honoring Antonio “Tony” Ortiz
Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Antonio “Tony” Ortiz, who recently concluded 26 years of dedicated service at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, including 16 years as president.
Catholic college preparatory education, integrated with professional work experience.
percent first generation, with a median family income of $43,000. Cristo Rey has nearly 3,000 alumni, 15 of whom now work at the school. Tony's greatest accomplishment is the culture he built that proudly reflects the strength of my district. The vast majority of students, alumni, faculty, and staff live and maintain deep ties to the Fourth District of Illinois, making the school a strong pillar of the surrounding community.
of educational excellence nationwide, and his vision has helped the school grow into a national network of more than 40 schools, serving over 13,000 students across the country each day.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Tony Ortiz for his remarkable service and wish him all the best in the years ahead. He has left a lasting legacy in our community.
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of HotHouse
Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the HotHouse Center for International Performance and Exhibition, popularly known in Chicago as the HotHouse.
concerts, multi-disciplinary events, and focus on creating opportunities for artistic practices and performances.
the international exchange of ideas, and serving as a central meeting place for a variety of community groups.
the current board continues organizing and programming around Chicagoland.
in the arts and culture industry, including Best of Chicago, Chicagoan of the Year, and The Abbey, all reflecting its lasting impact in our region.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the HotHouse on this incredible milestone, and I wish the organization many more years of success.