NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH: AMISHA PATEL

On 2025-04-29, Representative Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL-3) delivered a floor speech titled "NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH: AMISHA PATEL" in the House.

NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH: AMISHA PATEL

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1687-H1688] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH: AMISHA PATEL (Mrs. Ramirez of Illinois was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate longtime Chicago leader, organizer, and my dear friend, Amisha Patel, for her nearly three decades of civic engagement and community organizing. From leading environmental justice efforts at just 19 years of age to organizing Chicago care workers with SEIU Local 73, Amisha has consistently united diverse communities to build power. Her work developing thousands of leaders laid the groundwork for winning affordable housing, quality education, and more in Chicago and across the State of Illinois. I am proud to have worked alongside Amisha during her 15 years as the executive director of Grassroots Collaborative, where we opposed school closures, championed affordable housing, and fought for critical investments to our social safety net. Amisha is a fighter for peace, justice, and community. As a three- time cancer survivor currently in treatment, I want her to know that we are with her as she continues this fight. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my sincere honor to commend Amisha Patel for her lifetime of service organizing our communities to fight for the future that we deserve. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Amisha. National Fair Housing Month: Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Fair Housing Month to honor Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, my constituent, my friend, and the former 35th Ward alderman, for his legacy of leadership to realize safe, affordable housing for all. Moreover, I want to congratulate him on his recent appointment as CEO and superintendent of the Chicago Park District. In his decade as alderman of the 35th Ward, which includes Logan Square, Hermosa, Irving Park, and Avondale, Carlos championed policies to expand affordable housing and resist gentrification and displacement. He has also led unapologetic efforts to expand protections for immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and workers in Chicago. Carlos shifted the dynamics of local politics by making sure that neighbors and constituents had power over land use, development, and zoning. In doing so, Carlos modeled what a collaborative co-governance approach to community development could look like and work. It is how we resulted in tangible wins and how he was able to bring those wins to communities, including the development of 100 units of affordable housing in the heart of Logan Square in the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my privilege and my honor to commend Carlos Ramirez-Rosa for his commitment to a fair, safe, and dignified life for all of his neighbors. ``Se que continuara transformando nuestras comunidades. Y estoy agradecida contigo, Carlos''; ``I know you will continue transforming our communities. I am thankful for Carlos.'' Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Edwards). The gentlewoman will provide a translation of her remarks. National Fair Housing Month: Deborah Suggs Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, in commemoration of National Fair Housing Month, I rise to recognize my constituent, affordable housing resident, and community advocate, Deborah Suggs. For over 50 years, Deborah has called home the Marian Park Apartments, a Wheaton affordable housing community serving seniors and families. While raising her children, grandchildren, and now great- grandchildren, Deborah has brought together her community to organize for the resources they need to thrive, whether it is secure transportation for school, childcare for working families, or road and pedestrian safety. As a leader with DuPage United, Deborah has been successful in imagining what safe, livable communities look like and building power and coalition to realize those dreams for people in Wheaton. [[Page H1688]] I had the pleasure of meeting Deborah at one of my townhalls, where I saw firsthand her passion to fight for herself, her family, her community, and our district. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Deborah for her lifetime of leadership in Wheaton and for her advocacy for a fair, safe, and affordable community. I thank Deborah. ____________________