[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 150 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H4303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF JUAN LOPEZ

  (Ms. RAMIREZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Juan Lopez.
  (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:)
  I rise today to honor the life of Juan Lopez--a Honduran, a Catholic 
leader, a human rights defender, an environmental activist--a year 
after his brutal assassination.
  Today, I declare we will not forget Juan Lopez. As Juan said, ``They 
can tear me up, they can cut me down. But I'll always come back.''
  Today, I honor all those who carry on Juan's legacy to live without 
fear of powerful companies and corrupt officials stealing and polluting 
their land and murdering courageous leaders for peacefully defending 
natural resources that are rightfully theirs.
  Today, I stand in solidarity with all those who loved Juan Lopez, who 
continue his struggle, and who will not back down until we realize 
justice for Juan, for Berta Caceres and for all those land defenders 
murdered.
  Me levanto hoy para honrar la vida de Juan Lopez--hondureno, lider 
catolico defensor de los derechos humanos y activista ambiental--un ano 
luego de su brutal asesinato.
  Hoy, declaro que no olvidaremos a Juan Lopez. Como dijo: ``Pueden 
destrozarme, pueden derribarme. Pero siempre volvere''.
  Hoy, rindo homenaje a todos aquellos que continuan el legado de Juan, 
viviendo sin temor a que empresas poderosas y funcionarios corruptos 
les roben y contamine sus tierras y asesinen a lideres valientes por 
defender pacificamente los recursos naturales que les pertenecen por 
derecho.
  Hoy, me solidarizo con todos aquellos que amaron a Juan Lopez, que 
continuan su lucha y que no cederan hasta que se haga justicia para 
Juan, para Berta Caceres y para todos los defensores de la tierra 
asesinados.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman will provide a translation.

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