HIGHLIGHTING THE STORY OF KRIS LEBRON ROMERO

On 2025-03-11, Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HIGHLIGHTING THE STORY OF KRIS LEBRON ROMERO" in the House. The speech addressed trade policy and also covered education.

HIGHLIGHTING THE STORY OF KRIS LEBRON ROMERO

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E201-E202] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HIGHLIGHTING THE STORY OF KRIS LEBRON ROMERO ______ HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO of connecticut in the house of representatives Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues the remarks recently given by my constituent, Kris Lebron Romero, a student at Common Ground High School in New Haven, Connecticut. Kris participated in a press conference held in New Haven highlighting some of the impacts our community is feeling due to the freeze of federal funding. It is a powerful reminder that behind every federal budget and program dollar we invest in our communities, there is a human face--a very real impact on the lives of those we are elected to serve. ``Hello, my name is Kris, I am a student at Common Ground High School, and I am deeply honored to stand here today as a voice for my fellow students. If you had told me a few weeks ago that a single order could drastically change my life, I wouldn't have believed you. Yet, here I am, and here we are. The federal funding freeze and the termination of critical giants have taken away so much from me and countless students and community members. My school has a program called the Green Jobs Corps. This program provides New Haven High School students with leadership development training and paid internships. Not only within our school but in collaboration with non-profit organizations across New Haven. It is an incredible opportunity for students to connect, engage with their community, and gain real-world job experience before graduating high school. For many of us, including myself, it was more than just a job, it was a way to support our families and build a foundation for our futures. I was a part of this program. I worked with one of its partner organizations, Haven's Harvest, a food recovery non- profit that collects food that would otherwise be thrown away and redistributes it to people in our community who are food insecure. I believe this is one of the most important and meaningful things anyone can do. Through this job, so many doors opened for me. I met elders from across the community, performed at events for other organizations, and learned to give back on my own time. I have a clear vision for my future. I aspire to become a graphic designer working with nonprofit organizations that need assistance in communicating effectively with hard-to- reach audiences and amplifying their outreach efforts. Through my time in the Green Jobs Corps, I've discovered a deep passion for using design to help organizations connect with their communities and share their messages more effectively. A simple program at my school helped me map my career pathway. The mentorship, training, and work experience made all of this possible. I felt secure. But then the federal funding freeze happened, and everything changed. Haven's Harvest, a volunteer-run organization that relies on grant funding to operate, is struggling to continue its mission. An organization that does nothing but feed those in need is now at risk of shutting down because of this freeze. Green Jobs Corps, which employed over 70 students with jobs, has also been put on hold. Without the necessary funding, they can no longer pay students for their very real and impactful work. This vital program, which did nothing but provide students with life-changing opportunities, is now in jeopardy. And it's not just the Green Jobs Corps. My school itself is in danger. Common Ground [[Page E202]] operates on grants, community support, and state funding. If those grants are taken away, what does that mean for us? For the students? For me? It means our education is in danger. I am currently a junior at Common Ground High School. I have been here since I was a freshman and can't imagine being anywhere else. Common Ground has opened my eyes to so many possibilities. But now, I am worried that future generations won't have the same opportunities--they won't experience the transformative power of this school. This is happening right now, and it's happening fast. I came here today to ask you to fight. Fight for youth development programs. Fight for our schools. Fight for our teachers. Fight for the future of our students.'' ____________________