Floor SpeechNeutral2026-02-04

HONORING THE LIFE OF RICK GARCIA

TradeVeteransAgricultureCivil Rights

Context

On 2026-02-04, Representative Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL-4) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE OF RICK GARCIA" in the House. The speech addressed trade policy and also covered veterans affairs, agriculture.

Full Text

HONORING THE LIFE OF RICK GARCIA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [House] [Page H1980] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF RICK GARCIA (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 life of Rick Garcia, a giant in the fight for equality in Illinois. I met Rick in the 1980s when being out, visible, and unapologetic came with real risk. We used to call each other primos or cousins because we shared the same last name. Rick believed that change didn't happen by accident and worked across political, religious, and community lines to build unlikely coalitions. He helped pass Illinois' landmark ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. As a cofounder of Equality Illinois, Rick fought to ensure that love and identity are never grounds for discrimination. Rick's legacy lives on in the movement he helped build and the laws he helped pass, which are now as important as ever. May we honor his legacy in action. May Rick rest in power. Losing Benefits Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the price of groceries keeps going up. Starting this week, 4 million people per month will be pushed off their food stamps. In Illinois alone, 360,000 people will lose those benefits. All due to cuts from the big, ugly bill. Americans are being forced to go hungry so the President can pay for his terror campaign in our cities. Children, people with disabilities, and veterans will lose their ability to put food on the table. Food pantries are already seeing longer lines for services. Local grocers warn that this will impact them, too, as people will be unable to shop for food. SNAP benefits are not just a safety net. They also foster economic activity and community stability. The President has made his priorities clear by cutting food assistance for millions of Americans to fund his agenda, while families are pushed closer to hunger. They can lie, tell us to ignore what we see and experience, but the American people will not forget. ____________________

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HONORING THE LIFE OF RICK GARCIA Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [House] [Page H1980] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF RICK GARCIA (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 life of Rick Garcia, a giant in the fight for equality in Illinois. I met Rick in the 1980s when being out, visible, and unapologetic came with real risk. We used to call each other primos or cousins because we shared the same last name. Rick believed that change didn't happen by accident and worked across political, religious, and community lines to build unlikely coalitions. He helped pass Illinois' landmark ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. As a cofounder of Equality Illinois, Rick fought to ensure that love and identity are never grounds for discrimination. Rick's legacy lives on in the movement he helped build and the laws he helped pass, which are now as important as ever. May we honor his legacy in action. May Rick rest in power. Losing Benefits Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the price of groceries keeps going up. Starting this week, 4 million people per month will be pushed off their food stamps. In Illinois alone, 360,000 people will lose those benefits. All due to cuts from the big, ugly bill. Americans are being forced to go hungry so the President can pay for his terror campaign in our cities. Children, people with disabilities, and veterans will lose their ability to put food on the table. Food pantries are already seeing longer lines for services. Local grocers warn that this will impact them, too, as people will be unable to shop for food. SNAP benefits are not just a safety net. They also foster economic activity and community stability. The President has made his priorities clear by cutting food assistance for millions of Americans to fund his agenda, while families are pushed closer to hunger. They can lie, tell us to ignore what we see and experience, but the American people will not forget. ____________________