[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 199 (Thursday, December 12, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H10128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TOWNHALLS ESSENTIAL TO CONGRESSIONAL WORK

  (Mr. DELGADO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. DELGADO. Madam Speaker, I rise today because tomorrow I will be 
holding my 33rd townhall since being sworn in, with three in each of 
the 11 counties making up my district.
  I promised my constituents that I would be transparent, accountable, 
and accessible. New York Congressional District 19 is nearly 8,000 
square miles, larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. In the 
past year, we spent hours in the car, driving in the rain, snow, and 
sleet to meet folks where they are.
  We have held townhalls in fire departments, schools, small 
businesses, and theaters, and even had crowds spilling into the 
hallway. When the broadband signal was strong enough, the entire 
conversation was streamed on Facebook Live.
  These open forums are essential to my work to represent our district. 
That is how democracy is supposed to work: civil conversations with my 
constituents, finding common ground, and concluding with legislation 
reflecting the needs of the community.
  Townhalls are a true highlight of my first year in office, and we are 
just getting started. I look forward to meeting more folks tomorrow at 
the Highland Middle School in Ulster.

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