[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 14, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WELCOMING THE HONORABLE JULIA LETLOW TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. 
Scalise) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that on behalf of 
the entire Louisiana delegation and on behalf of all of my colleagues, 
we welcome Julia Letlow to Congress.
  It has been quite a journey, and it is not a journey that she walks 
alone. This has been Julia and Luke Letlow's journey for over a year, 
and we all still grieve for the loss of Luke, who tragically died just 
days before he would have been sworn into Congress. But Julia never 
backed down, never looked back. She moved forward, and she said we are 
going to continue this journey with her beautiful family.
  Madam Speaker, up in the balcony, we have her 3-year-old son, 
Jeremiah, and her 1-year-old daughter, Jacqueline. We welcome them, as 
well as both Julia's and Luke's families, who are in the balcony.
  There are so many great attributes that Julia is going to bring to 
this Congress. She graduated from the University of Louisiana Monroe. 
She has been in higher education her entire life and truly dedicated 
her life to serving others. She will be serving on the Education and 
Labor Committee, as well as on the Agriculture Committee, two important 
committees that enrich this country, as well as her district.
  She has a great record of service. We are so excited to have her in 
our delegation. We are especially proud that Julia becomes, today, the 
first Republican woman ever elected to Congress from Louisiana.
  Madam Speaker, let me welcome our newest Member of Congress, Julia 
Letlow.
  Ms. LETLOW. Madam Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege to stand 
here today as the first Republican woman elected to Congress from 
Louisiana.
  Representing the people of the Fifth Congressional District is a 
great responsibility, and I pledge to work hard for you in Congress.
  My district is blessed with some of the best resources in the Nation, 
and no one knew that better than my husband, Luke, who was elected to 
this very seat but who we lost to COVID just days before he was set to 
take office.
  Luke and I were a team with a goal to better our State and our 
country. I want to thank him for paving the way for me. I am here today 
to carry that torch forward, to be a voice for our farmers, to champion 
education, to help bring broadband to our rural communities, and to 
ensure our economy is thriving again.
  The last year has not been easy for our country. Too many families, 
like mine, have experienced tragedy because of this pandemic. To those 
families, I see you, I hear you, and most importantly, I pray with you.
  I want to thank my family, both the Letlows and the Barnhills, for 
being the rock-solid, godly people you are in my life.
  I also cannot thank my staff, the Louisiana delegation, and my 
congressional colleagues enough for guiding me and welcoming me so 
fully. And I thank everyone who has reached out and prayed for my 
family these past few months.
  Today, as I start my journey in Congress, I choose hope. I want to be 
part of a revival of honesty, integrity, and hard work within these 
hallowed Halls. I will stand up for what is right and true, bringing 
hope of a better tomorrow for my children and for yours.

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