[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 167 (Wednesday, November 13, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING PETER COTTONTALE FOR HIP HOP HISTORY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Mrs. Ramirez) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Hip Hop History Month, I 
rise to honor Grammy award-winning music producer, director, and 
composer, Peter Wilkins, or better known as, Peter Cottontale.
  Peter's visionary artistry has profoundly shaped the music scene of 
our city, Chi-town, and beyond. As a close collaborator of Chance the 
Rapper and a founding member of The Social Experiment, Peter's talents 
have contributed to Grammy-winning projects that honor and elevate 
Chicago's people, our shared struggle, our sense of community, and our 
unique creative opportunity to serve others.
  His fingerprints can also be found in the music of SZA, Lil Wayne, 
and J. Cole, as well as hometown heroes like Jamila Woods, Noname, and 
Vic Mensa. As the owner of RCM Studios in Avondale in the Illinois 
Third District, Peter is cultivating inclusive, joyful spaces for local 
talent.
  Cottontale's work is not just music; it is a movement toward 
innovation and a movement toward unity. On behalf of Illinois' Third 
District, I commend Peter Cottontale for his contributions to hip-hop 
and music history and for reminding us of the power of music to unite 
communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations to Peter.


   Honoring Nelly Lema for Preserving the Culture and History of the 
                          Native Kichwa People

  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker:
  (English translation of the statement made in Spanish by Mrs. Ramirez 
is as follows:)
  In commemoration of Native American Heritage Month, I rise to honor 
my constituent, Nelly Lema, a community leader committed to preserving 
the culture and history of the native Kichwa people of Ecuador.
  As the President of the Kichwa Community of Chicago, Nelly has built 
community and strengthened the cultural identity for the Kichwa people 
who today call Chicago home.
  Through cultural performances, workshops, culturally competent 
classes, civic dialogue, and policymaking, she has emboldened the 
Kichwa people to preserve the language, traditions, and identity of 
their people.
  Sharing space with Kichwa musicians, artists, and elders who 
contribute their talents and knowledge, she fosters a welcoming space 
for her community to feel recognized, seen, and valued.
  Nelly's efforts remind us of the importance of uplifting diasporic 
Indigenous Latine communities, both in the United States and globally.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend and thank Nelly for her incredibly necessary 
work as a cultural steward and community leader.
  Mr. Speaker, En conmemoracion del Mes de la Herencia Nativa 
Americana, deseo honrar a mi constituyente, Nelly Lema, una lider 
comunitaria comprometida con la preservacion de la cultura y la 
historia del pueblo nativo Kichwa de Ecuador.
  Como presidenta de la Comunidad Kichwa de Chicago, Nelly ha 
construido una comunidad y fortalecido la identidad cultural de una 
comunidad Kichwa que hoy considera a Chicago su hogar.
  A traves de espectaculos culturales, talleres, clases culturalmente 
competentes, dialogo civico y advocacia por politicas publicas, ha 
alentado a Kichwas en Chicago a preservar su idioma, sus tradiciones y 
su identidad como pueblo.
  Al compartir espacio con musicos, artistas y personas de la tercera 
edad kichwa que brindan sus talentos y conocimientos, fomenta un 
espacio acogedor para que su comunidad se sienta reconocida, vista y 
valorada.
  Los esfuerzos de Nelly nos recuerdan la importancia de elevar a las 
comunidades latinas indigenas de la diaspora tanto en los Estados 
Unidos como a nivel mundial. La felicito por su trabajo increiblemente 
necesario como administradora cultural y lider comunitaria.
  Gracias, Nelly.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Illinois will provide a 
translation of her remarks to the Clerk.


           Congratulations to Metra on their 40th Anniversary

  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Metra and all 
of its employees on their 40th anniversary of delivering public 
transportation services for communities in Illinois' Third 
Congressional District.
  Metra is essential to our work in Illinois to build a strong, vibrant 
regional economy. Public transportation connects residents of Illinois' 
Third Congressional District to high-quality jobs, public amenities, 
and local businesses from DuPage County to downtown Chicago and beyond.
  When public transportation provides reliable, affordable, and 
accessible service, the benefits go beyond economic development and 
opportunity. We can achieve cleaner environments, better family health 
outcomes, and safer communities.
  It is why I am proud to have secured $8 million in Federal funds for 
the Illinois Department of Transportation's Rail Crossing Elimination 
program to support the separation of train traffic from pedestrians and 
cars in the Franklin Park community in my district, a project that will 
improve safety and mobility for local residents in my district.
  As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Metra and its commuter rail 
service, I will continue advocating for policies and investments that 
support public transit environments, strengthen green, resilient 
infrastructure, and expand choice and equity in our transportation 
systems.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank everyone at Metra for their service and for 
connecting our communities. Let's continue rolling together toward a 
brighter future.

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