HONORING BEATRICE LUMPKIN

On 2026-07-14, Representative Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL-4) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING BEATRICE LUMPKIN" in the House.

HONORING BEATRICE LUMPKIN

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [House] [Page H4415] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1030 HONORING BEATRICE LUMPKIN (Mr. 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. Bea was a fierce defender of working-class people and an active 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. Her engagement with the movement began with a factory job when she was 14 years old. She helped organize the Metal and Machinery Workers Industrial Union, a part of the newly formed Congress of Industrial Organizations. Her persistence and determination were best exemplified when 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. As recently as 2024, Bea was focused on intergenerational work with youth activists and joined the Starbucks workers as they began organizing. As a retiree, she expanded her activism on issues such as climate 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. For 30 years, Cristo Rey has transformed lives by providing a Catholic college preparatory education, integrated with professional work experience. Today, the school serves students who are 100 percent bilingual, 90 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. Under Tony Ortiz's leadership, Cristo Rey Jesuit has become a model 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. The HotHouse is known for its programming of jazz and world music concerts, multi-disciplinary events, and focus on creating opportunities for artistic practices and performances. HotHouse has taken the arts into underserved communities, fostering the international exchange of ideas, and serving as a central meeting place for a variety of community groups. While their physical location at Balbo Avenue closed in July of 2007, the current board continues organizing and programming around Chicagoland. Over the years, HotHouse has been awarded with many of the top honors 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. ____________________