MORNING-HOUR DEBATE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of
January 6, 2026, the Chair will now recognize Members from lists
submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning-hour debate.
  The Chair will alternate recognition between the parties, with time
equally allocated between the parties and each Member other than the
majority and minority leaders and the minority whip limited to 5
minutes, but in no event shall debate continue beyond 11:50 a.m.

                    PROMESA IS A DEMOCRATIC TRAGEDY

  (Mr. Hernandez of Puerto Rico was recognized to address the House for
5 minutes.)
  Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago, PROMESA became law. It
established a financial oversight board capable of overriding Puerto
Rico's elected officials on fiscal matters.
  PROMESA is a democratic tragedy. We surrendered our self-government
in exchange for fiscal relief. Ten years later, we have restructured
most of our debts and balanced our most recent budgets, but we still
dream about restoring our democratic self-government.
  The 10th anniversary of PROMESA begs the question: Where do the
people of Puerto Rico stand today? As their voice in Congress, I say:
We oppose the bad government practices that created the impression that
PROMESA was a necessity. We oppose the vulture funds that want to
profit from our misery and energy crisis. We oppose unelected oversight
boards that can override our democratic will.
  We support good government. We support responsible bankruptcy relief.
We support restoring democracy and electing the people who govern us.
  Puerto Rico was once an example of good government in Latin America,
but it became an example of how politics and corruption erased the path
to prosperity.
  On the 250th anniversary of the United States, let us not forget the
parts of this country of States, territories, and commonwealths that
had and lost their government by consent of the governed. Let us not
forget that we the people must continue to work toward a more perfect
Union, a more perfect Union of States, territories, and commonwealths.
  Now, for the benefit of my constituents, I will repeat my remarks in
Spanish.
  (Spanish translation of the statement made in English is as follows:)
  Hace diez anos, PROMESA se convirtio en ley. Le impuso a Puerto Rico
una junta de supervision no electa, con la capacidad de pasar por
encima de los funcionarios electos en asuntos fiscales.
  PROMESA es una tragedia democratica. Entregamos nuestro autogobierno
a cambio de alivio fiscal. Diez anos despues, hemos reestructurado la
mayoria de nuestras deudas. Hemos balanceado nuestros presupuestos mas
recientes. Pero todavia sonamos con restaurar la democracia en nuestra
isla.
  El decimo aniversario de PROMESA obliga a plantearse la pregunta:
qdonde se encuentra hoy el pueblo de Puerto Rico?
  Como su voz en el Congreso, digo:
  Nos oponemos a las malas practicas de gobierno que hicieron que
PROMESA pareciera necesaria.
  Nos oponemos a los fondos buitre que quieren lucrarse de nuestra
miseria y de nuestra crisis energetica.
  Nos oponemos a las juntas de supervision no electas que pueden pasar
por encima de nuestra voluntad democratica.
  Apoyamos el buen gobierno.
  Apoyamos un alivio responsable ante la quiebra. Apoyamos restaurar la
democracia y elegir a quienes nos gobiernan.
  Puerto Rico fue una vez un ejemplo de buen gobierno en America Latina
y

en los paises emergentes. Se convirtio en un ejemplo de como la
politica y la corrupcion destruyen el progreso y borran el camino hacia
la prosperidad.
  En el aniversario 250 de los Estados Unidos, no olvidemos aquellas
partes de este pais de estados, territorios y estados libre asociados
que tuvieron--y perdieron--su gobierno por consentimiento de los
gobernados.
  No olvidemos que ``nosotros, el pueblo'' debemos continuar la labor
hacia una union mas perfecta: una union mas perfecta de estados,
territorios y estados libre asociados.

  THANKING THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 290 FOR SPONSORING THE MOVING WALL

  (Ms. Foxx of North Carolina was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and thank The American
Legion Post 290 in King, North Carolina, for recently sponsoring a
traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
  Referred to as ``The Moving Wall,'' this replica is 246 feet in
length and honors every servicemember who made the ultimate sacrifice
while serving in Vietnam.
  In late April to early May, The Moving Wall was displayed at The
American Legion Post 290 in King, and I was fortunate enough to attend
the closing ceremony and offer a few remarks about its importance.
  The American Legion Auxiliary sponsored the event, and doing so takes
serious and dedicated planning by all who are involved.
  This event came together through countless hours of preparation and
diligence in monitoring the wall while it was in King.
  Sheila Winfrey, the 290 unit president; Lynn Shouse, the vice
president; Cherryl Penn; and Jessie Penn deserve tremendous credit for
putting this entire event together.
  The citizens of King and those from the area who came to view The
Moving Wall indicated that they share the exact same sentiment.
  We are all grateful for the dedication and efforts of these four
wonderful individuals in helping put this event together, as well as
grateful for those represented on the wall.
  Everyone who was fortunate enough to attend, me included, would agree
that they did a fantastic job all around.
  It is my hope that many others across our Nation will attend such
events where The Moving Wall is displayed and take the time to learn of
its importance and the sacrifices made to preserve and protect the
freedoms we are all blessed to have by those who have served and
especially those who lost their lives in service.

                HONORING THE LIFE OF DOMINIC P. STRANGIO

  (Mr. Kennedy of New York was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
  Mr. KENNEDY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart
to honor the life of a remarkable young western New Yorker and St.
Joe's student, Dominic P. Strangio of Niagara Falls, whose courageous
battle with cancer came to an end on April 22, 2026, at just 16 years
old.
  Dominic was a beloved son to Frank and Sara, a devoted big brother to
Sofia and Frankie, and a treasured grandson, cousin, teammate,
classmate, and friend. Though his time on this Earth was far too short,
the impact he made on those around him will endure for generations.
  Dominic was a proud Marauder, attending St. Joseph's Collegiate
Institute. As someone who walked those halls myself, I know firsthand
the values St. Joe's seeks to instill: faith, brotherhood, compassion,
and service to others.
  Dominic embodied those values in every sense. The entire St. Joe's
community mourns this immeasurable loss alongside the Strangio family,
united in both grief and gratitude for having known such an
extraordinary young man.
  On the baseball field, Dominic was someone his teammates could depend
on. Off the field, he loved hanging out with his cherished friends,
going on fishing trips with his papa, and spending Sunday afternoons at
his nonna's kitchen table. He found joy in the simple gifts of life and
treasured every moment spent with his brother and sister.
  It was not only how Dominic lived his life before his diagnosis that
inspired so many. It was how he faced adversity. Throughout his
illness, Dominic demonstrated courage and grace far beyond his years.
Guided by his faith, he remained selfless, optimistic, and resilient.
He never complained. He continued to think of others even as he
confronted challenges that few adults could ever imagine.
  Dominic's strength became a source of inspiration to his family,
friends, classmates, and our entire community.
  Mr. Speaker, while Dominic's years were few, his example was immense.
May we all carry forward his kindness, faith, resilience, and love for
his family.
  To Dominic's parents, Frank and Sara; his brother, Frankie; his
sister, Sofia; and all who mourn this tremendous loss, our Nation and
our community mourn with you.
  St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us. Live, Jesus, in our hearts
forever.
  May Dominic Strangio rest in peace.