[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 105 (Thursday, June 15, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1115
             COMMEMORATING THE LEGACY OF JESSE TAFALLA, JR.

  (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the legacy of 
Jesse Tafalla, Jr., a pillar in the north Texas community who was a 
steadfast champion for equality, justice, and inclusion.
  Jesse lived to serve his community. After high school, Jesse worked 
for IBM and, for the past 10 years, DART. He was an active member in 
many organizations in Dallas, including Rainbow LULAC, Stonewall 
Democrats, Dallas County Democratic Party, and the MLK Jr. Community 
Center board.
  He was a champion of so many different social causes and issues, and 
he worked tirelessly to try to bridge the gaps and create understanding 
between communities. He was a very special person.
  He greeted everyone with the line, ``Hey, don't I owe you a drink?'' 
This was his way of saying that he cared. After that, he would listen 
to people, and he advocated for communities and people who he felt were 
genuinely left behind.
  Jesse was an embodiment of service and kindness, and his legacy will 
be carried on through the countless lives he touched. His love for 
family, friends, and strangers was unconditional.
  I extend my deepest condolences to all of his family, his friends, 
and everyone in the community who loved him and called him a friend.

                          ____________________