[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 201 (Tuesday, December 2, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H4973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NEW LIFE CENTERS 20th ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. Garcia of Illinois was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 20th 
anniversary of New Life Centers, an organization that I am proud to 
represent in my district.
  Led by Pastor Matt DeMateo, New Life Centers started as a small group 
working on community violence intervention programs and is now a 
citywide movement providing our youth with mentoring, education, 
sports, play, summer day camps, after-school, and peacemaking programs.
  Its community-based, hands-on approach has played a key role in 
driving down gun violence in our neighborhood of Little Village. New 
Life Centers Community Care programs also serve more than 45,000 
individuals in need of housing, food, and other necessities. Its Pan de 
Vida Fresh Market distributes food to more than 35,000 individuals per 
year, filling the gaps that the funding cuts to Federal nutrition 
programs have created.
  When Operation Midway Blitz brought chaos and pain to our community, 
Pastor Matt and New Life Centers responded by supporting immigrant 
families, taking food to their homes, and helping find loved ones that 
ICE had taken.
  Mr. Speaker, the work of New Life Centers helps strengthen our 
community through faith, hope, and healing. I look forward to many more 
years of partnerships to change the lives and change neighborhoods.


              Recognizing Otis P. Graves Elementary School

  Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to 
celebrate the 100th anniversary of Otis P. Graves Elementary School in 
my district.
  Its dual language model develops bilingual and biliterate students 
that can succeed and be proficient in English and Spanish, opening 
future opportunities in an increasingly global society.
  Even through the challenging moments our community has faced this 
year, this school has remained a safe and welcoming place for all kids 
and has promoted and instilled a love of learning. No matter what may 
be happening at home or in the world, these kids know that they can 
come here to learn and feel supported.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent them in Congress, and I 
applaud the teachers, staff, administrators, and families that have 
helped build this milestone.
  Congratulations to Otis P. Graves, and here is to 100 more years.


                  175th Anniversary of Leyden Township

  Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as the year comes to an end, I 
join Leyden Township in Cook County, Illinois, in celebration of the 
175th anniversary of its establishment.
  In addition to the unincorporated areas, the Leyden Township borders 
include part of Rosemont, Schiller Park, Franklin Park, part of 
Northlake, River Grove, Elmwood Park, parts of Melrose Park, Park 
Ridge, the most western part of Norridge and Bensenville, east of 
County Line Road.
  Leyden Township is a place where neighbors care about each other and 
love spending time getting to know each other. You just have to attend 
one of their bingo nights to understand what I mean.
  With more than 93,000 residents, Leyden Township takes care of their 
people. They have a pantry for those in need, a township handyman that 
provides free services for seniors, and a recreation department 
dedicated to building a stronger community through educational and 
recreational programming.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Leyden Township on its first 175 years.

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