[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H4217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING SOO HAK KWON'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

  (Mr. Cisneros of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and uplift a 
major milestone achieved by an outstanding member of California's 31st 
Congressional District.
  Congratulations to Soo Hak Kwon for graduating high school at the 
young age of 91 years old. Soo was a Korean-American businessowner who 
immigrated to Los Angeles in 1972 and moved to La Puente with his 
family in 1980.
  He always enjoyed learning but never had the time to start taking 
classes because he was busy raising his family and operating a local TV 
repair and wig shop.
  That all changed when he enrolled at Bassett Adult School 5 years 
ago. Last week, he received his high school diploma in his cap and 
gown. His teachers say Soo has a kind, warm presence that makes other 
students feel welcome, and he lit up every classroom he walked into.
  Soo is an inspiration to our community, and he should be so proud of 
himself. He has reminded us all that education truly is a lifelong 
process.


         Glendora Baseball Division III Regional Championship.

  Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Glendora High 
School baseball team on pulling off an incredible comeback victory in 
the Division III regional championship.
  Mr. Speaker, it takes grit, determination, and focus to pull off an 
upset win when the cards are stacked against you, and that is exactly 
what they demonstrated.
  It is an incredible feat to win eight straight playoff games in a 
row. They accomplished that through teamwork and dedication to athletic 
excellence.
  What a perfect way to cap off a great season. I congratulate them on 
winning a CIF championship.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope they enjoy their win and know that our entire 
district is so proud of their accomplishment.


                     All Children Deserve Education

  Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with grave concern about 
disturbing actions taken by our country's leadership.
  The Trump administration has announced plans to move the office of 
overseeing special education services out of the Department of 
Education.
  With this development, the Department of Education has hollowed 
itself out by delegating the vast majority of its functions to other 
agencies.
  The President is so determined to dismantle our education systems 
that he is willing to put millions of students at risk and completely 
abandon our children with disabilities.
  As a proud champion for students with special needs, I am horrified 
that this decision will undermine accountability and disrupt 
communication for families and school officials who need help.
  We should be investing in and expanding special needs programs across 
the country so that all children can get the support they need and the 
education they deserve.
  Instead, this administration has made the cruel decision to shut our 
most vulnerable students out from the programs that they rely on. This 
is a reprehensible action from a corrupt administration. I will do 
everything in my power to oppose this shameful decision and protect our 
disabled students' rights.


                  Anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges

  Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the anniversary of 
Obergefell v. Hodges this week, the landmark Supreme Court decision 
that affirmed marriage equality as law of the land over a decade ago.
  We honor this anniversary every year during Pride Month by 
remembering the activists, couples, and lawmakers who had the courage 
to fight for their right to love whom they love in the face of hate, 
discrimination, and injustice. Their relentless advocacy and conviction 
paved the way for marriage equality.
  I am so grateful to live in a world where every LGBTQ+ individual who 
calls California's 31st District their home has the right to marriage.
  I will always fight to protect their right to equality and to live 
freely and happily as their most authentic self.

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