[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H2262-H2263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING BLACK HISTORY

  (Ms. Tlaib of Michigan was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, in the 12th Congressional District, every 
single day is Black History Month.
  I am so incredibly proud to have been born in the most beautiful, 
Blackest city in the country. I know Detroit has built movements from 
every corner, and our community is a reminder of the civil rights 
movement, the labor rights movement.
  I still remember, Madam Speaker, in ninth grade getting this bright 
orange book. It was the first time we ever got brand-new books. It was 
a beautiful book around history and teaching American history through 
Black history.
  To this day, I know that I am rooted in community and understanding 
movements because, again, I was able to be educated in a way that was 
full of justice seekers, full of movement makers.

                              {time}  1015

  I know that it has always been a city of changemakers. We bore 
witness to Dr. King's first Walk to Freedom and the transformative work 
of trailblazers like Mother Rosa Parks and Malcolm X.
  From the iconic Motown sounds to generations of powerful activism, 
our Black neighbors have changed the course of our history. Yet right 
now, we are witnessing efforts to erase that history.
  The Trump administration has targeted diversity, equity, inclusion, 
and rolled back hard-won progress.

[[Page H2263]]

  Systemic racism has been codified into laws, Madam Speaker, and into 
our budgets. Black unemployment has skyrocketed. Black homeownership 
has significantly decreased.
  We know the Department of Justice has rolled back civil rights 
protections and disparate impact antidiscrimination regulations, 
weakening the ability to change policies that harm our Black 
communities in housing and unemployment.
  Trump has issued executive orders targeting museums and institutions 
like the National Museum of African American History and Culture trying 
to hide the truth about Black history.
  We will never stop fighting to protect and center the voices of our 
Black neighbors. No matter how much the Trump administration attempts 
to whitewash it and how hard they try, they cannot erase Black history.
  My Black neighbors ask me: Is it true that the President has not said 
anything about Black history?
  Not once did he acknowledge Black History Month.
  Again, we know our Black neighbors have shaped every chapter of our 
Nation's history. That will never change. This Black History Month, we 
renew our commitment to fighting for a more just, equitable future. 
Black history is American history.


                      Thanking Larissa Richardson

  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, every time I tried to sit down and write 
this, I found myself tearing up. That is how much my chief of staff, 
Larissa Richardson, meant to me and continues to mean to me and so many 
of our team members.
  Larissa has served our families for over a decade. From my time as a 
State Representative to our years in Congress, Larissa has been a 
tremendous and deeply committed partner in this work. She built an 
exceptional district team to make sure our neighborhood service centers 
were responsive and rooted in community.
  She helped deliver close to $70 million back home through the 
appropriations process, resources that made a real difference in 
people's lives.
  She made sure every single meeting, policy decision, and late night 
was centered on the needs of the beautiful families that we represent.
  She always had my back. She believed in the vision I had for our 
work, even when the culture here in Washington, D.C. didn't make it 
easy. We faced very difficult moments together, and we always said we 
are going to outwork the hate.
  We stay grounded in our values, and Larissa Richardson was such a 
huge part of making that possible. She has now transitioned to 
continuing the fight for our families on our new mayor, Mayor 
Sheffield's team, and I couldn't be any prouder of her.
  Madam Speaker, Larissa will always be part of Team Tlaib. That 
doesn't change. We already miss her presence, leadership, and calm 
strength. This isn't goodbye. This is just a new chapter.
  Madam Speaker, I wish everyone will take a moment and join me in 
thanking her for her years of service for our community.
  I love you, Larissa.

                          ____________________