REMEMBERING DOMINICK RUGGERIO

On 2025-04-30, Representative Gabe Amo (D-RI-1) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING DOMINICK RUGGERIO" in the House.

REMEMBERING DOMINICK RUGGERIO

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [House] [Page H1733] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING DOMINICK RUGGERIO (Mr. Amo of Rhode Island was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. AMO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rhode Island's late, great, senate president, Dominick Ruggerio. Mr. Speaker, ``Donny,'' as he was referred to by those who knew him best, was a ``force'' to be reckoned with, a ``forza,'' as his Italian loved ones would say. For over 40 years as a State legislator for North Providence, a jewel of the First Congressional District, President Ruggerio served as champion for all Rhode Islanders. From infrastructure to the environment, labor protections and more, he fought for the places and people who make the Ocean State great, hardworking people, like my mom who worked for years as an SEIU nurse in Rhode Island nursing homes. Every time our paths crossed, he would remind me how, with enough hard work, grit, and determination, that anything is possible, even my own story. He loved our State, and he loved our Rhode Island State House. Throughout his tenure, he mentored so many legislators, countless legislators, regardless of the aisle they sat on. His passing last week, after a lengthy battle with cancer, is both a profound loss for our community and for our State. Earlier this week, we came together at St. Anthony Church in North Providence to remember this beloved icon in Rhode Island history. Today, I join President Ruggerio's friends, family, staff, and colleagues who will carry the torch that he lit and ensure that his legacy shines a light for generations to come. Supporting Edesia Nutrition Mr. AMO. Mr. Speaker, today, I also rise in support of the lifesaving producer of humanitarian aid, Rhode Island's own nonprofit, Edesia Nutrition. Since coming to Congress, I have been proud to advocate for Edesia in hearing after hearing as vice ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I have joined over 200 of my Democratic colleagues in an amicus brief to push back on Trump's and Elon Musk's unlawful destruction of USAID, and I have led bipartisan appropriations letters to support funding for Edesia's work. Why? Because it reflects the best of America's values. Edesia supports domestic peanut farmers, creates jobs, and helps distribute the only proven treatment for acute malnutrition and famine. To date, Edesia's products have saved over 26 million lives around the globe, including in sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Speaker, as the son of West African immigrants, it means the world that America shows up in this way, in this important way, for the vulnerable. Now, more than ever, we should be investing in Edesia's work, not stripping them of funding. That is why I will be relentless in sounding the alarm and pushing Trump to release the remaining funds that Edesia is owed. I will continue to fight so that Edesia's programs receive the funding they desperately need in fiscal year 2026. The stakes are literally life and death for millions of children, mothers, and vulnerable populations across the world. ____________________