[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5626-H5627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WELCOMING THE HONORABLE LaMONICA McIVER TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Smith) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, especially from 
New Jersey, and I rise today to congratulate and welcome our newest 
colleague, LaMonica McIver, from New Jersey's 10th Congressional 
District.
  Mrs. McIver has served on the Newark City Council since 2018. She 
served as the council president, and I think, as many people know, 
Newark is the largest city in the State of New Jersey. It is also the 
same council where our good friend and distinguished former colleague, 
Donald Payne, Jr., had served with great distinction.
  I point out that she excelled in the Newark public school system and 
graduated from Bloomfield College before going on to receive her 
master's degree from Seton Hall University, everything in New Jersey.
  Before running for office, she worked in human resources across 
several public school districts, including personnel director for 
Montclair Public Schools. She also worked as a public affairs manager 
for PSE&G, one of New Jersey's major utility companies.
  We offer, on both sides of the aisle, our warmest welcome to her and 
look forward to working with her in the coming days and weeks.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), 
my good friend.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I want all Members to know that Mrs. McIver has 
experienced a series of firsts.
  First, she was the youngest person elected to the Newark City Council 
in 2018. She then was elected council president in 2022, and she is the 
youngest woman ever elected to Congress from the State of New Jersey.
  We have her family up there, as my colleagues can see.
  She has also been a tremendous mentor for young women, in particular. 
She founded an organization called the Newark G.A.L.S., Inc., which is 
an organization that has empowered over 3,000 young women throughout 
the State of New Jersey. We are so proud of her. She is really, more 
than anything

[[Page H5627]]

else, a community activist. That is what she is all about.
  She is going to continue in that tradition here, being an advocate 
for so many important issues. We are ready to work with her, and we are 
so glad that she is here today, starting out even as we end this 
session, because she is going to get a jump on all of her activities. 
She is just such a nice person.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, and I yield back to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mrs. McIver, and 
I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. McIver).
  Mrs. McIVER. Mr. Speaker, Leader Jeffries, Congressman Pallone, my 
great colleagues in the New Jersey delegation, I am deeply humbled and 
honored that the people of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District 
have put their faith in me to give them a bold voice in the United 
States House of Representatives.
  I recognize my mom, my dad, sisters, husband, my bright 8-year-old 
daughter, and friends and extended family. I thank them so much for 
traveling here from New Jersey to be with me.
  I express my deepest gratitude to those who have provided mentorship 
and guidance throughout my career. A few of those folks are here today, 
like my New Jersey State Chairman, Leroy Jones, who is here 
watching tonight.

  Tonight, I walk in the footsteps of those who have come before me. 
The city of Newark, my lifelong home, has produced fierce, unyielding 
leaders who have dedicated their lives and careers to the pursuit of 
justice.
  My predecessor, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., embodied the 
vibrant spirit of our city and the people he faithfully served. He was 
an example to many of us.
  As I stand before my colleagues tonight, I pay tribute to him, and 
both deeply feel and will always miss his presence and his leadership.
  While I walk in the footsteps of those who came before me, it is my 
hope to blaze new trails together on the march toward fully realizing 
the promise of our great American Nation.
  I personally thank my mayor, Ras J. Baraka, who introduced me to 
politics at the age of 10. It is fitting that he is here tonight with 
us.
  It was in those years that I saw up close how government at all 
levels could impact daily life in our communities, how even small 
changes have the ability to add up to transformational progress.
  I later had the opportunity and privilege to serve my city as a 
member of the Newark City Council and as council president.
  As I stand here tonight, I am filled with more optimism than ever 
before that we can accomplish so much together, that we can find common 
ground, that we can disagree while nurturing our democracy, that we can 
bring the voices of our beautiful, diverse communities together, and 
that we can protect and strengthen the freedoms and opportunities that 
make America, America.
  I cannot be more proud and grateful that the people of New Jersey's 
10th Congressional District have entrusted me to carry forward their 
will in this House, for which I thank all of them.
  May God bless the 10th District, and God bless America.

                          ____________________