HONORING BLACK HISTORY

On 2026-02-24, Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING BLACK HISTORY" in the House. The speech addressed the economy and also covered taxes, the environment.

HONORING BLACK HISTORY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2262-H2263] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING BLACK HISTORY (Ms. Tlaib of Michigan was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, in the 12th Congressional District, every single day is Black History Month. I am so incredibly proud to have been born in the most beautiful, Blackest city in the country. I know Detroit has built movements from every corner, and our community is a reminder of the civil rights movement, the labor rights movement. I still remember, Madam Speaker, in ninth grade getting this bright orange book. It was the first time we ever got brand-new books. It was a beautiful book around history and teaching American history through Black history. To this day, I know that I am rooted in community and understanding movements because, again, I was able to be educated in a way that was full of justice seekers, full of movement makers. {time} 1015 I know that it has always been a city of changemakers. We bore witness to Dr. King's first Walk to Freedom and the transformative work of trailblazers like Mother Rosa Parks and Malcolm X. From the iconic Motown sounds to generations of powerful activism, our Black neighbors have changed the course of our history. Yet right now, we are witnessing efforts to erase that history. The Trump administration has targeted diversity, equity, inclusion, and rolled back hard-won progress. [[Page H2263]] Systemic racism has been codified into laws, Madam Speaker, and into our budgets. Black unemployment has skyrocketed. Black homeownership has significantly decreased. We know the Department of Justice has rolled back civil rights protections and disparate impact antidiscrimination regulations, weakening the ability to change policies that harm our Black communities in housing and unemployment. Trump has issued executive orders targeting museums and institutions like the National Museum of African American History and Culture trying to hide the truth about Black history. We will never stop fighting to protect and center the voices of our Black neighbors. No matter how much the Trump administration attempts to whitewash it and how hard they try, they cannot erase Black history. My Black neighbors ask me: Is it true that the President has not said anything about Black history? Not once did he acknowledge Black History Month. Again, we know our Black neighbors have shaped every chapter of our Nation's history. That will never change. This Black History Month, we renew our commitment to fighting for a more just, equitable future. Black history is American history. Thanking Larissa Richardson Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, every time I tried to sit down and write this, I found myself tearing up. That is how much my chief of staff, Larissa Richardson, meant to me and continues to mean to me and so many of our team members. Larissa has served our families for over a decade. From my time as a State Representative to our years in Congress, Larissa has been a tremendous and deeply committed partner in this work. She built an exceptional district team to make sure our neighborhood service centers were responsive and rooted in community. She helped deliver close to $70 million back home through the appropriations process, resources that made a real difference in people's lives. She made sure every single meeting, policy decision, and late night was centered on the needs of the beautiful families that we represent. She always had my back. She believed in the vision I had for our work, even when the culture here in Washington, D.C. didn't make it easy. We faced very difficult moments together, and we always said we are going to outwork the hate. We stay grounded in our values, and Larissa Richardson was such a huge part of making that possible. She has now transitioned to continuing the fight for our families on our new mayor, Mayor Sheffield's team, and I couldn't be any prouder of her. Madam Speaker, Larissa will always be part of Team Tlaib. That doesn't change. We already miss her presence, leadership, and calm strength. This isn't goodbye. This is just a new chapter. Madam Speaker, I wish everyone will take a moment and join me in thanking her for her years of service for our community. I love you, Larissa. ____________________