Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-04-21

CELEBRATING ERIC WHITE

ImmigrationTaxesEducationLabor

Context

On 2026-04-21, Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING ERIC WHITE" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered taxes, education.

Full Text

CELEBRATING ERIC WHITE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)] [House] [Page H3001] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING ERIC WHITE (Ms. Pressley of Massachusetts was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate my district director, Eric White, a scrappy kid from Rozzie, a 23 year old when he first came to work for my city council office. He is a history buff, a voracious reader, a decent hockey player, a proud graduate of our Boston public schools, and a dedicated advocate. There can be no doubt that Eric's worldview and values were formidably shaped by his upbringing: two loving parents in John and Nina who modeled strong work ethics and even stronger bonds of love for one's family, neighbor, and community. The stories that Eric's father, John, a union laborer, one of seven children raised by a single mom, I know impacted Eric. That clearly informed the fights that he took on for working families, for workers' rights, for fairness, and for justice. Between his two parents, given his proud Irish and Italian heritage, I know it informed the fights that he took on for immigrants and anyone else in pursuit of the American Dream. Throughout the years, Eric has been at my side, crafting strategies for transformative legislation like our liquor license reform efforts to support neighborhood restaurants, transformative investments, stewarding our community project funding, and crafting speeches that spoke to the heart, to the heart of the matter, and to the heart of man. Eric has been by my side for long car rides, for late-night community meetings, marching in parades, or shoulder to shoulder at a union strike. During my Boston City Council tenure, Eric worked his way up from neighborhood liaison to policy director to chief of staff. As he closes out this chapter as my district director in my congressional office and looks to new horizons for change and impact, it isn't lost on me that the student of history is today a maker and shaper of history. Eric's impact on Boston politics, municipal, and Federal policy will endure, but I know his greatest legacy is still being written in the family he has grown and the beautiful life that he is building with his wife, Kelsey, whose nuptials I had the honor of officiating; their son, Cam; daughter, Maize; and one day soon a dog named Teddy, named after President Roosevelt, of course. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud of Eric. I am proud of his contributions. I am proud of his legacy of kindness, compassion, and composure. I am so proud of the man he has become. John and Nina have raised an exceptional human being. I have not forgotten about Jared. He played a role as a brother, as well. I know that incredible chapters lie ahead for Eric personally and professionally. His mark on Massachusetts-07 is not deniable, and his impact in my life is indelible. He has always been there. He has been there as an anchor. He was there when I said good-bye to my mother. He was there when I met my husband. The young man who started as an aide in my office is now a permanent member of my family. Lucky me. Lucky me. I love Eric ``E-Rock'' White. I thank him for 13 years of dedicated service and innumerable personal sacrifices. I thank him for everything. ____________________

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CELEBRATING ERIC WHITE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)] [House] [Page H3001] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING ERIC WHITE (Ms. Pressley of Massachusetts was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate my district director, Eric White, a scrappy kid from Rozzie, a 23 year old when he first came to work for my city council office. He is a history buff, a voracious reader, a decent hockey player, a proud graduate of our Boston public schools, and a dedicated advocate. There can be no doubt that Eric's worldview and values were formidably shaped by his upbringing: two loving parents in John and Nina who modeled strong work ethics and even stronger bonds of love for one's family, neighbor, and community. The stories that Eric's father, John, a union laborer, one of seven children raised by a single mom, I know impacted Eric. That clearly informed the fights that he took on for working families, for workers' rights, for fairness, and for justice. Between his two parents, given his proud Irish and Italian heritage, I know it informed the fights that he took on for immigrants and anyone else in pursuit of the American Dream. Throughout the years, Eric has been at my side, crafting strategies for transformative legislation like our liquor license reform efforts to support neighborhood restaurants, transformative investments, stewarding our community project funding, and crafting speeches that spoke to the heart, to the heart of the matter, and to the heart of man. Eric has been by my side for long car rides, for late-night community meetings, marching in parades, or shoulder to shoulder at a union strike. During my Boston City Council tenure, Eric worked his way up from neighborhood liaison to policy director to chief of staff. As he closes out this chapter as my district director in my congressional office and looks to new horizons for change and impact, it isn't lost on me that the student of history is today a maker and shaper of history. Eric's impact on Boston politics, municipal, and Federal policy will endure, but I know his greatest legacy is still being written in the family he has grown and the beautiful life that he is building with his wife, Kelsey, whose nuptials I had the honor of officiating; their son, Cam; daughter, Maize; and one day soon a dog named Teddy, named after President Roosevelt, of course. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud of Eric. I am proud of his contributions. I am proud of his legacy of kindness, compassion, and composure. I am so proud of the man he has become. John and Nina have raised an exceptional human being. I have not forgotten about Jared. He played a role as a brother, as well. I know that incredible chapters lie ahead for Eric personally and professionally. His mark on Massachusetts-07 is not deniable, and his impact in my life is indelible. He has always been there. He has been there as an anchor. He was there when I said good-bye to my mother. He was there when I met my husband. The young man who started as an aide in my office is now a permanent member of my family. Lucky me. Lucky me. I love Eric ``E-Rock'' White. I thank him for 13 years of dedicated service and innumerable personal sacrifices. I thank him for everything. ____________________