HONORING STACY DAVIS GATES

On 2025-05-20, Representative Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING STACY DAVIS GATES" in the House.

HONORING STACY DAVIS GATES

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 85 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)] [House] [Pages H2150-H2151] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING STACY DAVIS GATES (Mrs. Ramirez of Illinois was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an educator, a force for justice, an unapologetic champion of our Chicago communities, and my friend, Stacy Davis Gates. Stacy is a high school social studies teacher, a South Sider, a wife, and a mother. For many, she is best known as president of the Chicago Teachers Union and executive vice president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Stacy's leadership has called us to bargain for our collective good and to think about how organized labor can win bold campaigns that build the schools, the communities, and the city that our children deserve. In 2019, she helped lead a 15-day strike and negotiated a historic contract that ensured a nurse and a social worker in every Chicago public school. She secured sanctuary protections for immigrant families and supported students and families experiencing homelessness. [[Page H2151]] Putting Chicago's children at the center of everything she does, she has worked to build a collective of community, and she has elected to create opportunities for our communities, at times confronting corporate and charter interests head-on. She always puts our children at the center of what she does. {time} 1030 On behalf of the Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my sincere honor to commend Stacy Davis Gates for her dedication to educational equity in our city, in our State, and in our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I thank and congratulate Stacy. Honoring Labor Organizers Keith Kelleher and Madeline Talbott Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friends and constituents, Madeline Talbott and Keith Kelleher, for a lifetime of labor organizing, community solidarity, and deep love. Madeline Talbott spent 37 years building ACORN and Action Now with thousands of dues-paying members, helping to found the Fight for $15 in Chicago: a campaign that grew nationally and eventually brought $15 an hour to over 22 million workers across the country. Keith Kelleher founded ULU Local 880 and eventually became president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas and international vice president of SEIU. He built the largest union local in Chicago and Illinois, from only 7 dues-paying members in 1983 to over 90,000 home care, childcare, and healthcare members today. Madeline and Keith have been partners in love and organizing since 1979. They have left a lasting mark on community, labor, and political organizing. They have trained hundreds of people to ensure the movement continues. They have raised an incredible family, including their two daughters, Aileen and Ryan, who continue their organizing legacy. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my privilege to commend Madeline Talbott and Keith Kelleher for their exceptional contributions as organizers, and their exceptional commitment to our fight for justice. Mr. Speaker, I thank and congratulate them. Congratulating Victor Gomez, Illinois State Teacher of the Year Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent from Wheaton, Victor Gomez, for his achievement as one of 2025 Illinois State Teachers of the Year. An educator in East Leyden High School, Victor Gomez is a passionate teacher, who for 6 years has transformed the lives of his students. Through his commitment to bilingual education, he has created more welcoming and culturally competent classrooms where students are challenged and inspired to pursue their goals. Mr. Gomez is also a mentor to aspiring bilingual educators. In partnership with Elmhurst University and the Noyce PRIDE STEM Teacher Scholars program, he empowers educators from diverse backgrounds to bring their wisdom, their voice, and their experience into the profession. As a fluently bilingual Latina daughter of immigrants, I know the importance of having teachers and mentors who looked and sounded like me. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my privilege to commend Victor for nurturing equity in our classrooms, encouraging leadership in our communities, and building educators who reflect the diversity of our multiracial and multicultural democracy. I congratulate Victor again on winning Illinois State Teacher of the Year. ``Congratulations''; ``felicidades.'' ____________________