[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LEGACY OF RUPAUL CHARLES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr.  Robert Garcia) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROBERT GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, the House library is 
open.
  I rise to commemorate the start of Pride Month by honoring the one 
and only queen of drag, RuPaul. An artist, a philanthropist, and a 
barrier breaker, RuPaul Charles has become an American phenomenon and 
an icon. Nobody has more charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent than 
RuPaul Charles.
  Ru's career launched as a drag performer in New York, and then as a 
successful pop artist, releasing his first hit album, ``Supermodel of 
the World.'' In total, he has released 15 studio albums.
  RuPaul also became the first gay Black man to host his own talk show, 
``The RuPaul Show.'' He is most known, of course, for his multi-Emmy-
award winning show, ``RuPaul's Drag Race.''
  ``RuPaul's Drag Race,'' and its many domestic and international spin-
offs, has put drag in the global spotlight. The show has helped lunch 
and uplift the careers of thousands of drag queens and artists. But 
more importantly, the show has served as a critical space to discuss 
issues around inclusion, trans rights, mental health, and self-worth.
  This message couldn't be more important as the LGBTQ+ community 
continues to fight for equality and acceptance. The world needs more 
love and, yes, more RuPaul. I thank RuPaul Charles for his years of 
leadership in our community and his activism.
  This Pride Season, as we recommit to celebrating diversity, 
difference, and self-love, we must always remember what RuPaul so 
famously says: ``If you can't love yourself, how the hell are you going 
to love somebody else?''

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