[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                        HONORING LINDA RONSTADT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr.  Robert Garcia) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROBERT GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, this Hispanic 
Heritage Month, I pay tribute to a legendary Latina singer who crossed 
genres and generations, Linda Ronstadt.
  Utilizing her distinctive voice, she brought delight to fans of pop, 
country music, folk, light opera, and, of course, Latin music.
  She was incredibly proud of her Mexican heritage. When she told 
record executives that she wanted to record an album all in Spanish, 
they told her it would ruin her career. She went ahead anyway, 
releasing ``Canciones De Mi Padre,'' which stands as a best-selling 
non-English language album in American history.
  Selling over 100 million albums, Linda has 12 Grammys, an Emmy, and, 
in 2014, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  A passionate advocate for the arts, in 2013, she was honored for her 
work by President Barack Obama with the National Medal of Arts.
  She announced her retirement in 2011. She revealed having a 
neurodegenerative diagnosis that left her unable to sing aloud. She is 
a personal favorite of mine. My favorite song of hers is ``Blue 
Bayou,'' and I will always honor her love of music and people.
  This Hispanic Heritage Month, Linda is someone I will uplift and 
support. Her musical achievements will be remembered for a long, long 
time.


                    A Warning to the American People

  Mr. ROBERT GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to warn the 
American people about one of the greatest threats we face as a country.
  A shadowy network led by a billionaire businessman is working to 
threaten some of our most important values. This businessman attacks 
immigrants from far places and mild-mannered journalists here in our 
country. The shadowy network seeks power at all costs.
  No, I am not talking about Lex Luthor and his legion of doom, but 
Donald Trump and his authoritarian and dictator friends who threaten 
our very democracy and world peace.
  I am here to raise the alarm about the massive foreign interference 
of our politics at the highest levels. We know that, recently, The 
Washington Post reported allegations that the Egyptian President, seen 
right here, may have tried to transfer $10 million to the Donald Trump 
campaign for President in 2016. We also know that other foreign 
governments have also tried to buy influence from the Trumps and the 
Kushner family.
  We know that Jared Kushner colluded to collect $2 billion from the 
Saudi royal family for his investment fund just 2 months after leaving 
the White House job.
  We also know the Trump Organization has collected, at a minimum, $7.8 
million in foreign payments from multiple countries during his 
Presidency, funneled through The Trump Organization and his hotel 
properties.
  Madam Speaker, we cannot delay more accountability or an 
investigation. Donald Trump has made dangerous allegiances with enemies 
of the United States of America and our allies. They do not stand for 
truth, justice, and the American way.
  I have raised this alarm over and over again, and we should not stop.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind Members to refrain 
from engaging in personalities toward nominees for the Office of 
President.

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