Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-02-02

WELCOMING THE HONORABLE CHRISTIAN D. MENEFEE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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Context

On 2026-02-02, Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37) delivered a floor speech titled "WELCOMING THE HONORABLE CHRISTIAN D. MENEFEE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered healthcare, taxes.

Full Text

WELCOMING THE HONORABLE CHRISTIAN D. MENEFEE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026)] [House] [Page H1937] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1900 WELCOMING THE HONORABLE CHRISTIAN D. MENEFEE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) is recognized for 1 minute. There was no objection. Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, Saturday was a great day for progress in Texas, from Houston to Fort Worth. For almost a year after the tragic death of our late colleague, Sylvester Turner, the citizens of the 18th Congressional District of Texas in Houston have been denied representation in this Congress. After Governor Abbott delayed the call for the election for almost 8 months and then delayed the runoff election another 3 months, these Texans finally have the representation that they deserve. At this moment, we remember the life of Sylvester Turner, who honorably served Houstonians for a decade or more as mayor and State representative, and who took over after the passing of our colleague, Sheila Jackson Lee, who we all remember for her tenacity. This is in a district that was once represented by the legendary Barbara Jordan. This is also a district with a long legacy of fighters, fighters for justice. I am confident that Christian Menefee will carry on that tradition. He was raised in the 18th Congressional District by two military parents who taught him about the values of hard work, of loyalty, and of standing up for what is right. With the help of a Pell grant, he was the first member in his family to graduate from college. He graduated from UT San Antonio and then went on to St. Louis to get a law degree from Washington University. He built a successful career as a commercial litigator in Houston and provided extensive pro bono work there, including his working with immigrant families affected by the Muslim ban. He most recently served as the Harris County attorney, the youngest person and the first African American to ever hold that office. At this troubling time in our country, please join me in welcoming someone who I know will be a great colleague, carrying out the incomplete term of Mr. Turner in this Congress. Congratulations, Christian. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Menefee). Mr. MENEFEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Doggett very much for the incredibly kind introduction. Good evening, colleagues. ``Colleagues'' is crazy to say. I want to start by saying a special thank-you to God and to my wife, Kaitlyn, who is here with us today, and to my fantastic team. It has been more than 330 days since the people of the 18th Congressional District had representation and a voice in Congress. When this body took on important votes about whether to cut SNAP benefits, about whether to make it more difficult to access Medicaid--important issues--this district had no voice in Congress. This one is for the 18th District. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today understanding that there are very big shoes to fill. This is a district of fighters. This is the district of the legendary Barbara Jordan, who helped overturn a corrupt Presidency. This is the district of Mickey Leland, Craig Washington, and Erica Lee Carter. This is the district, of course, of our two great friends, my mentors, dear friends who we recently lost, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and the late Sylvester Turner. Many folks in the 18th District are watching. To my district, the commitment they have from me is that I will work as hard as I can to live up to the legacy. I will treat this job with the seriousness that it deserves. I will work full days, and I will fight as hard as I can to advocate for and protect the people of the 18th Congressional District. ____________________

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WELCOMING THE HONORABLE CHRISTIAN D. MENEFEE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026)] [House] [Page H1937] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1900 WELCOMING THE HONORABLE CHRISTIAN D. MENEFEE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) is recognized for 1 minute. There was no objection. Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, Saturday was a great day for progress in Texas, from Houston to Fort Worth. For almost a year after the tragic death of our late colleague, Sylvester Turner, the citizens of the 18th Congressional District of Texas in Houston have been denied representation in this Congress. After Governor Abbott delayed the call for the election for almost 8 months and then delayed the runoff election another 3 months, these Texans finally have the representation that they deserve. At this moment, we remember the life of Sylvester Turner, who honorably served Houstonians for a decade or more as mayor and State representative, and who took over after the passing of our colleague, Sheila Jackson Lee, who we all remember for her tenacity. This is in a district that was once represented by the legendary Barbara Jordan. This is also a district with a long legacy of fighters, fighters for justice. I am confident that Christian Menefee will carry on that tradition. He was raised in the 18th Congressional District by two military parents who taught him about the values of hard work, of loyalty, and of standing up for what is right. With the help of a Pell grant, he was the first member in his family to graduate from college. He graduated from UT San Antonio and then went on to St. Louis to get a law degree from Washington University. He built a successful career as a commercial litigator in Houston and provided extensive pro bono work there, including his working with immigrant families affected by the Muslim ban. He most recently served as the Harris County attorney, the youngest person and the first African American to ever hold that office. At this troubling time in our country, please join me in welcoming someone who I know will be a great colleague, carrying out the incomplete term of Mr. Turner in this Congress. Congratulations, Christian. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Menefee). Mr. MENEFEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Doggett very much for the incredibly kind introduction. Good evening, colleagues. ``Colleagues'' is crazy to say. I want to start by saying a special thank-you to God and to my wife, Kaitlyn, who is here with us today, and to my fantastic team. It has been more than 330 days since the people of the 18th Congressional District had representation and a voice in Congress. When this body took on important votes about whether to cut SNAP benefits, about whether to make it more difficult to access Medicaid--important issues--this district had no voice in Congress. This one is for the 18th District. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today understanding that there are very big shoes to fill. This is a district of fighters. This is the district of the legendary Barbara Jordan, who helped overturn a corrupt Presidency. This is the district of Mickey Leland, Craig Washington, and Erica Lee Carter. This is the district, of course, of our two great friends, my mentors, dear friends who we recently lost, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and the late Sylvester Turner. Many folks in the 18th District are watching. To my district, the commitment they have from me is that I will work as hard as I can to live up to the legacy. I will treat this job with the seriousness that it deserves. I will work full days, and I will fight as hard as I can to advocate for and protect the people of the 18th Congressional District. ____________________