CELEBRATING SOO HAK KWON'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

On 2026-06-24, Representative Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA-31) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING SOO HAK KWON'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION" in the House.

CELEBRATING SOO HAK KWON'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [House] [Page H4217] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING SOO HAK KWON'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION (Mr. Cisneros of California was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and uplift a major milestone achieved by an outstanding member of California's 31st Congressional District. Congratulations to Soo Hak Kwon for graduating high school at the young age of 91 years old. Soo was a Korean-American businessowner who immigrated to Los Angeles in 1972 and moved to La Puente with his family in 1980. He always enjoyed learning but never had the time to start taking classes because he was busy raising his family and operating a local TV repair and wig shop. That all changed when he enrolled at Bassett Adult School 5 years ago. Last week, he received his high school diploma in his cap and gown. His teachers say Soo has a kind, warm presence that makes other students feel welcome, and he lit up every classroom he walked into. Soo is an inspiration to our community, and he should be so proud of himself. He has reminded us all that education truly is a lifelong process. Glendora Baseball Division III Regional Championship. Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Glendora High School baseball team on pulling off an incredible comeback victory in the Division III regional championship. Mr. Speaker, it takes grit, determination, and focus to pull off an upset win when the cards are stacked against you, and that is exactly what they demonstrated. It is an incredible feat to win eight straight playoff games in a row. They accomplished that through teamwork and dedication to athletic excellence. What a perfect way to cap off a great season. I congratulate them on winning a CIF championship. Mr. Speaker, I hope they enjoy their win and know that our entire district is so proud of their accomplishment. All Children Deserve Education Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with grave concern about disturbing actions taken by our country's leadership. The Trump administration has announced plans to move the office of overseeing special education services out of the Department of Education. With this development, the Department of Education has hollowed itself out by delegating the vast majority of its functions to other agencies. The President is so determined to dismantle our education systems that he is willing to put millions of students at risk and completely abandon our children with disabilities. As a proud champion for students with special needs, I am horrified that this decision will undermine accountability and disrupt communication for families and school officials who need help. We should be investing in and expanding special needs programs across the country so that all children can get the support they need and the education they deserve. Instead, this administration has made the cruel decision to shut our most vulnerable students out from the programs that they rely on. This is a reprehensible action from a corrupt administration. I will do everything in my power to oppose this shameful decision and protect our disabled students' rights. Anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges this week, the landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed marriage equality as law of the land over a decade ago. We honor this anniversary every year during Pride Month by remembering the activists, couples, and lawmakers who had the courage to fight for their right to love whom they love in the face of hate, discrimination, and injustice. Their relentless advocacy and conviction paved the way for marriage equality. I am so grateful to live in a world where every LGBTQ+ individual who calls California's 31st District their home has the right to marriage. I will always fight to protect their right to equality and to live freely and happily as their most authentic self. ____________________