Delia Ramirez: “As we get close to the end of the 118th Congress, my first term representing the greatly diverse Illinois Third…”

“As we get close to the end of the 118th Congress, my first term representing the greatly diverse Illinois Third Congressional District, I rise in full gratitude for all of those who have supported me and held me during these not-so-easy 2 years in what we call the people's House. We have heard that it takes a village to represent, to fight, and to deliver for our communities. However, recently, 219 Members of this body opted to persecute the village, passing a bill that puts all of civil society at risk. They took that action at the precise moment we should be uplifting and celebrating civil society as the first and most resilient line of defense for many vulnerable communities. Without a robust civil society, countries can descend into instability, their governments becoming more prone to authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and the erosion of democratic freedoms. While some of my colleagues came to the floor to do harm to civil society, I have come to the floor to commend the countless nonprofit organizations, faith communities, schools and universities, advocacy groups, and cultural institutions that compose the powerful civil society of Illinois' Third Congressional District. Since my time as the executive director of a nonprofit in Chicago, I have seen community organizations nurture and sustain a healthy democracy by providing lifesaving services, including housing and warm meals while holding those in power accountable.…”