[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 193 (Monday, November 17, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 2025 WORTHWHILE GALA'S SPEAKER: T ORTIZ

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2025

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary woman whose courage, compassion, and unwavering 
commitment to justice have transformed countless lives across our 
Nation and around the world. It is my distinct honor to recognize T 
Ortiz, who is the Guest Speaker at the 2025 Worthwhile Gala.
  Ms. Ortiz's story is one of profound resilience and relentless hope. 
As a survivor who turned her most difficult experiences into a lifelong 
calling to protect others, she stands as a powerful reminder of the 
strength of the human spirit. For more than 15 years, she has been a 
leading force in the fields of anti-trafficking, juvenile justice, and 
child welfare systems reform. Her expertise is not merely professional. 
It is deeply personal, driven by empathy and the belief that every 
child deserves safety, every survivor deserves dignity, and every 
community deserves the tools to stand against exploitation.
  Her impact is felt in boardrooms, classrooms, courtrooms, and every 
space where decisions about vulnerable children and survivors are made. 
Ms. Ortiz has shaped policies at the highest levels of government, 
ensuring that survivor voices are not just included but are central in 
the fight against trafficking and exploitation. Her insights have 
informed national and international strategies, and her leadership has 
guided lawmakers, agencies, nonprofit organizations, and service 
providers toward more humane and effective practices.
  The world has taken notice of her extraordinary contributions. Ms. 
Ortiz has earned global recognition from prestigious institutions such 
as TIME Magazine, GLAMOUR Magazine, the National Center for Missing & 
Exploited Children, and many others who have celebrated her as a 
trailblazer and a beacon of hope. These honors speak not only to her 
achievements but also to her heart. Her heart has compassion, humility, 
and an unwavering devotion that guides her work every day.
  Mr. Speaker, what sets Ms. Ortiz apart is not just her expertise, but 
her spirit. She leads with grace. She advocates with love. She carries 
the stories of survivors with her, and she ensures those stories fuel 
lasting change. At the 2025 Worthwhile Gala, her presence reminds us 
that progress is possible when we listen, when we care, and when we 
choose to fight for those who cannot always fight for themselves.
  As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Human Trafficking, I 
am especially grateful for leaders like Ms. Ortiz. Leaders who 
illuminate the path forward and inspire all of us to do more, try 
harder, and serve better. Her voice has strengthened our Nation's 
efforts to confront injustice, and her example challenges each of us to 
act with greater compassion and courage.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating T Ortiz 
for her remarkable achievements, her transformative leadership, and her 
profound dedication to creating a world where every person, especially 
every child, is protected, valued, and free. Her work embodies the very 
best of who we aspire to be.

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