RECOGNIZING CUPCAKE CUTIE BOUTIQUE

On 2026-06-24, Representative George Latimer (D-NY-16) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING CUPCAKE CUTIE BOUTIQUE" in the House.

RECOGNIZING CUPCAKE CUTIE BOUTIQUE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4214-H4215] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING CUPCAKE CUTIE BOUTIQUE (Mr. Latimer of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) [[Page H4215]] Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate the Cupcake Cutie Boutique, a Mount Vernon establishment built on family, faith, and Black excellence. The founders are a mother-daughter duo who opened their small business over 10 years ago. The pair faced challenges familiar to many small business owners, including the pandemic, in which they never stopped serving the community. We salute Montika Jones and her daughter, Miesha Stokely, the baker, for this wonderful business. Due to the current administration's policies, small businesses everywhere are struggling amidst rising tariffs, energy costs, and economic fallout. As a member of the Small Business Committee, it is important to me that small businesses get the proper support and respect that they deserve. We should support women-owned businesses and African-American-owned businesses. A mother-daughter team, like Cupcake Cutie Boutique, must continue to thrive alongside all the wonderful small businesses in our community. That is how we achieve economic growth for all. Marking Alzheimer's Awareness Month Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Alzheimer's Awareness Month to call my colleagues to action in confronting this devastating disease. I have met with representatives from the Alzheimer's Association to discuss their legislative priorities and how advocates can draw attention to this disease. In these meetings, we spoke about the importance of early detection and proper screenings. The ASAP Act, bipartisan legislation, does just this by providing Medicare coverage for blood-based dementia screening tests. Our need for action comes when the current Presidential administration denies basic science and proposes cuts to and constraints on key research institutions, such as the NIH. One in nine Americans over the age of 65 are diagnosed with Alzheimer's. They deserve more. They cannot afford cuts to research that can lead to curing this horrible disease. Rising Costs of Family Trips Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, it is that time of year when summer break starts and families across the country embark on family trips. The rising costs of fuel, food, and basic necessities are making it difficult to take on any expenses beyond their basic needs. The average national gas prices remained at and above $4 since the start of the war with Iran. Families are already absorbing the rising costs of utility bills and increased healthcare premiums. Many families cannot handle an extra expense for a vacation. Airlines are reducing their flight schedules; travel demand is decreasing; and international tourism into the United States is dropping rapidly. Sadly, this administration demonstrates that it does not care about the cost of living when I hear President Trump say: ``I love the inflation.'' My hope is for my fellow Americans to have the opportunity to make new memories with their families without having to make concessions due to rising costs around every corner. This is a priority that we must address. ____________________