Adriano Espaillat: “since 2019, I have been proud to call the gentleman from Illinois both a colleague and a trusted friend. During the…”

“since 2019, I have been proud to call the gentleman from Illinois both a colleague and a trusted friend. During the build back better negotiations, we stood shoulder to shoulder to defend immigrant communities when it mattered the most. That is who Chuy Garcia is. He leads with conviction, courage, and integrity, even when he stands alone. Chuy Garcia came up during the era of the late and great Harold Washington in Chicago who took down the political machine. It was Chuy Garcia who stood next to our other colleague, Luis Gutierrez, when his home was firebombed by two young men. His home was firebombed, and Chuy Garcia was the person standing next to former Congressman Luis Gutierrez. An immigrant from Mexico and the son of a bracero, Chuy Garcia has spent 45 years as an organizer, public servant, and a coalition builder who never loses sight of the people he serves. He has been a steadfast champion for dignity, equity, and justice across Chicago. He stepped out of this race for one reason and one reason only: his family. We often hear in these hallowed Halls of Congress the words 'family values,' and it is often used with hypocrisy. Here we have a person that is really standing up for his grandchild.”