[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1370-H1371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following 
resignation from the House of Representatives:


                                     House of Representatives,

                                                   March 16, 2021.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker of the House,
     Washington DC.
       Dear Speaker Pelosi: A short time from now, I will be sworn 
     in as the 54th Secretary of the U.S. Department of the 
     Interior. As such, I respectfully offer my resignation from 
     the seat representing New Mexico's 1st Congressional District 
     in the United States House of Representatives effective 
     immediately.
       I am excited to become the first Native American cabinet 
     secretary in history, although I also feel a sense of sadness 
     in preparing for this new role. As a twice elected member of 
     Congress, it has been the pleasure and privilege of a 
     lifetime to serve alongside you and my colleagues in our 
     quest to improve the lives of the American people and find 
     ways to both protect and advance the greatest democracy in 
     history.
       As the daughter of a 30-year combat Marine who grew up 
     traveling our country, and a single mom who relied on food 
     stamps to get by, I never imagined a day like this. I am 
     grateful for my time here in the House. I am grateful for the 
     love and support of many people, and most notably, I am a 
     proud New Mexican.
       As a volunteer, activist, and organizer for more than 
     twenty years, it was my proudest professional moment to be 
     elected as one of the first two Native American women to 
     serve in Congress. I feel immensely satisfied to have been a 
     part of what our Democratic House Majority accomplished in a 
     short period of time. With your brilliant leadership, I have 
     had the opportunity to help move legislation forward on 
     critical issues like climate change, voting rights, racial 
     and economic justice, and most recently COVID relief for 
     millions of Americans. I'm also proud to have worked in a 
     bipartisan manner to help address the crisis of Missing and 
     Murdered Indigenous Women and ensure the men and women 
     serving in our nation's military and their families have the 
     support they need. The professional alliances and personal 
     friendships I have made during my time in the People's House 
     will last a lifetime.
       I know that my work as a member of the Natural Resources 
     Committee and as Chair of the Subcommittee on National Parks, 
     Forests, and Public Lands has helped prepare me for my new 
     role in the Biden Administration, and I am grateful to my 
     colleagues for those opportunities. The honor and 
     responsibility that President Biden has bestowed on me to 
     serve the country in this way is profound, humbling, and 
     exhilarating.
       Many thanks to you and all of my colleagues for your 
     support and your friendship.

[[Page H1371]]

     I will miss serving in the House, and I look forward to 
     building back better together.
           Sincerely,
     Debra A. Haaland.
                                  ____

     Hon. Maggie Toulouse Oliver,
     New Mexico Secretary of State,
     Santa Fe, NM.
       Dear Secretary Toulouse Oliver: Effective immediately, I 
     have resigned my seat in the U.S. House of Representatives 
     representing the 1st Congressional District of New Mexico. 
     Enclosed is a copy of my letter of resignation to the Speaker 
     of the House, Nancy Pelosi, which was hand delivered today.
       As a 35th generation New Mexican, serving the people of the 
     1st Congressional District has been an honor. My selection by 
     President Joe Biden as Secretary of the Interior and 
     confirmation by the Senate will allow me to continue to serve 
     New Mexicans and all Americans.
       Thank you for your leadership of our great State.
           Sincerely,
     Debra A. Haaland.

                          ____________________