[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 191 (Wednesday, November 12, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4594-H4595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      WELCOMING THE HONORABLE ADELITA S. GRIJALVA TO THE HOUSE OF 
                            REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Arizona is 
recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to 
congratulate our newest colleague and our fellow Arizonan on her 
swearing in as the Representative for Arizona's Seventh Congressional 
District, Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva.
  Congresswoman Grijalva has concentrated her career on issues 
advocating for students and supporting families.
  As she follows in her late father's footsteps--and, boy, those are 
some footsteps, especially with those bolo ties, wow--I have no doubt 
she will bring to the Halls of Congress the same energy that has 
defined her years of public service.
  As dean of the Arizona congressional delegation, I wish to 
congratulate Congresswoman Grijalva and welcome her to the United 
States House of Representatives.
  I now yield to the gentleman from Mr. Arizona (Mr. Stanton), my 
friend.
  Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Gosar, the new dean of 
Arizona's State delegation. It has been a minute since we have all been 
together on the House floor. I am looking for cobwebs around here.
  As dean, Congressman Gosar replaces the late Congressman Raul 
Grijalva, one of the most impactful leaders in Arizona history.
  Now, with great pride, I rise today to do something we have waited 50 
long days to do--exactly 49 days too long--and that is to introduce our 
colleague from Arizona, Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva.
  Since September 23, the people of Arizona have been waiting for this 
day, and the excuses for the delay have changed seemingly daily. First 
they said they need an election certificate, though one isn't required. 
Then they wanted to make sure there was enough pomp and circumstance. 
Then we were informed about a nonexistent Pelosi precedent.
  At one point, the Speaker went on television and said, ``Bless her 
heart. She's a Representative-elect. She doesn't know how things work 
around here.''
  Bless his heart, because here is how it should work. Let's call it 
the Adelita Grijalva precedent: When the American people vote, this 
Chamber respects their will and seats them immediately. Politics should 
never come into play.
  Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Grijalva is a native Tucsonan, the 
granddaughter of a bracero who came here from Mexico. She is the 
youngest woman ever elected to the Tucson Unified School Board, serving 
20 years, then a Pima County supervisor, fighting for working families, 
affordable housing, and early childhood education. She brings that same 
fight to Congress.
  The people of Arizona's Seventh District placed their trust in her, 
and today that trust is rewarded.
  Her first act of Congress will be a powerful one. She will be the 
218th and final signature on the discharge petition to force the Trump 
administration to release the Epstein files, delivering long overdue 
justice and accountability for hundreds of victims abused by rich and 
powerful men.
  She is a smart, principled fighter through and through.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to welcome and introduce to this Chamber 
Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva.
  Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend, 
Congressman Stanton, for that kind introduction and to the entire 
Democratic delegation from Arizona and the delegation that stood here 
with me that has supported me throughout this process.
  I rise today, the proud granddaughter of a bracero, a hardworking 
Mexican immigrant who came to this country for a better life, and I 
stand as the proud daughter of a U.S. Congressman, a man who spent his 
entire life fighting for justice, equity, and dignity for the most 
vulnerable.
  From working as a vaquero to serving in Congress in just a single 
generation, that is the promise of this country. That is the America I 
want to raise my three beautiful children in--Adelina, Raul, and 
Joaquin. They, along with my amazing husband, Sol, and my wonderful 
Mama Ramona are here with me today.
  ``Thank you for your support and your love.''
  ``Muchas gracias por su apoyo y tu amor.''
  Thank you to ``the people,'' ``la gente'' of southern Arizona for 
making history, electing me as the first Latina, the first Chicana from 
Arizona to ever go to Congress.
  (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:)
  ``This is a historic moment for our community. It is an honor to be 
the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress. Let me assure you, 
while I am the first, I will not be the last.''
  ``Este momento es historico para nuestra comunidad. Es un honor ser 
la primera latina en representar Arizona en el Congreso, y les aseguro 
que aunque soy la primera, no sere la ultima.''
  The SPEAKER. The gentlewoman from Arizona will provide a translation 
of her remarks to the Clerk.
  Mrs. GRIJALVA. While we celebrate this moment, today our American 
promise is under serious threat. Basic freedoms are under attack. 
Healthcare premiums are skyrocketing. Babies are being ripped away from 
their parents by masked agents. We can and must do better.
  What is most concerning is not what this administration has done, but 
what the majority in this body has failed to do: Hold Trump accountable 
as the coequal branch of government that we are.
  It has been 50 days since the people of Arizona's Seventh 
Congressional District elected me to represent them; 50

[[Page H4595]]

days that over 800,000 Arizonans have been left without access to the 
basic services that every constituent deserves.
  This is an abuse of power. One individual should not be able to 
unilaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected Member of 
Congress for political reasons.
  Our democracy only works when everyone has a voice. This includes the 
millions of people across the country who have experienced violence and 
exploitation, including Liz Stein and Jessica Michaels, both survivors 
of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse. They are here in the gallery with us this 
evening. I thank them for being here.
  Just this morning, House Democrats released more emails showing that 
Trump knew more about Epstein's abuses than he previously acknowledged. 
It is past time for Congress to restore its role as a check and balance 
on this administration and fight for we, the American people.
  We need to fight for our immigrant communities and veterans. We need 
to stand up for our public schools, children, and educators. We need to 
respect Tribal sovereignty and our environment. We need to stand up for 
LGBTQ+ rights because that is what the American people expect us to do, 
fight for them.
  That is why I will sign the discharge petition right now to release 
the Epstein files, because justice cannot wait another day.
  ``Forward my people. Thank you very much.''
  ``Adelante mi gente. Muchas gracias.''

                          ____________________