Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-05-13

HONORING THE LIFE OF STICKNEY MAYOR JEFF WALIK

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On 2026-05-13, Representative Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL-4) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE OF STICKNEY MAYOR JEFF WALIK" in the House.

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HONORING THE LIFE OF STICKNEY MAYOR JEFF WALIK

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3398-H3399] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF STICKNEY MAYOR JEFF WALIK (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 Mayor Jeff Walik of Stickney, a man whose life was inseparable from the village that he loved. Jeff served his community first as a police officer and later as mayor, always a fighter for Stickney. Mayor Walik never stopped pushing, never stopped advocating, and, frankly, never took ``no'' for an answer when it came to his home and his people. Even those who disagreed with him knew one thing to be true: His commitment to Stickney was real. He carried his community in his heart everywhere he went. He never walked away from service, always protecting and fighting for the town he believed in. Jeff was part of an era of public service that people will speak about with pride. We extend our deepest condolences to the Walik family, the residents of Stickney, and all those mourning this tremendous loss. May he rest in peace. {time} 1015 Recognizing St. Procopius Church's 150th Anniversary Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. Procopius Church--my first parish when I arrived in Chicago--on their 150th anniversary. Founded in 1875 and located in the historic Pilsen community in my district, St. Procopius was first built to serve the growing population of Czech immigrants who settled in the neighborhood after the Great Chicago Fire. Since then, the church has evolved alongside the community from its roots as a predominantly Czech parish to serving a very large and vibrant Mexican-American community that Pilsen is known for today. The parish, now merged with Providence of God Parish and Holy Trinity Croatian Parish, continues to contribute greatly to the Pilsen neighborhood and the city of Chicago through community outreach, hosting cultural and religious celebrations, and providing education to children from 15 communities across Chicago through a dual-language parish school that I am proud to be an alum of. Madam Speaker, I congratulate St. Procopius Church for marking a century and a half of faith, resilience, and dedicated service to the people of Chicago. Honoring Juan Dies and Victor G. Pichardo Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Juan Dies and Victor Pichardo, Mexican folk musicians who were recently recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts with the 2026 National Heritage Fellowship awards. Juan and Victor cofounded Sones de Mexico in Pilsen, Illinois, and have dedicated their lives to preserving, sharing, and uplifting the rich traditions of Mexican folk music for new generations. Through workshops, seminars, residencies, and performances, they [[Page H3399]] have taken Mexican music from neighborhood events in Pilsen to Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. For 35 years, Victor and Juan have taught hundreds of students in Mexico and the U.S., keeping traditions alive and strengthening cultural identity. This award is a recognition of their contributions to enriching America's cultural tapestry. ``Juan, Victor, your music and achievements fill us with great pride''; ``Juan, Victor, su musica y sus logros nos llenan de orgullo.'' ____________________

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HONORING THE LIFE OF STICKNEY MAYOR JEFF WALIK Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3398-H3399] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF STICKNEY MAYOR JEFF WALIK (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 Mayor Jeff Walik of Stickney, a man whose life was inseparable from the village that he loved. Jeff served his community first as a police officer and later as mayor, always a fighter for Stickney. Mayor Walik never stopped pushing, never stopped advocating, and, frankly, never took ``no'' for an answer when it came to his home and his people. Even those who disagreed with him knew one thing to be true: His commitment to Stickney was real. He carried his community in his heart everywhere he went. He never walked away from service, always protecting and fighting for the town he believed in. Jeff was part of an era of public service that people will speak about with pride. We extend our deepest condolences to the Walik family, the residents of Stickney, and all those mourning this tremendous loss. May he rest in peace. {time} 1015 Recognizing St. Procopius Church's 150th Anniversary Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. Procopius Church--my first parish when I arrived in Chicago--on their 150th anniversary. Founded in 1875 and located in the historic Pilsen community in my district, St. Procopius was first built to serve the growing population of Czech immigrants who settled in the neighborhood after the Great Chicago Fire. Since then, the church has evolved alongside the community from its roots as a predominantly Czech parish to serving a very large and vibrant Mexican-American community that Pilsen is known for today. The parish, now merged with Providence of God Parish and Holy Trinity Croatian Parish, continues to contribute greatly to the Pilsen neighborhood and the city of Chicago through community outreach, hosting cultural and religious celebrations, and providing education to children from 15 communities across Chicago through a dual-language parish school that I am proud to be an alum of. Madam Speaker, I congratulate St. Procopius Church for marking a century and a half of faith, resilience, and dedicated service to the people of Chicago. Honoring Juan Dies and Victor G. Pichardo Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Juan Dies and Victor Pichardo, Mexican folk musicians who were recently recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts with the 2026 National Heritage Fellowship awards. Juan and Victor cofounded Sones de Mexico in Pilsen, Illinois, and have dedicated their lives to preserving, sharing, and uplifting the rich traditions of Mexican folk music for new generations. Through workshops, seminars, residencies, and performances, they [[Page H3399]] have taken Mexican music from neighborhood events in Pilsen to Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. For 35 years, Victor and Juan have taught hundreds of students in Mexico and the U.S., keeping traditions alive and strengthening cultural identity. This award is a recognition of their contributions to enriching America's cultural tapestry. ``Juan, Victor, your music and achievements fill us with great pride''; ``Juan, Victor, su musica y sus logros nos llenan de orgullo.'' ____________________