[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    LESSONS ON NEW MEXICO'S HISTORY

  (Ms. Leger Fernandez of New Mexico was recognized to address the 
House for 5 minutes.)
  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to provide a history lesson. 
In 1598, New Mexico got its name. In 2026, Donald Trump's Presidency is 
the most unpopular of any President. His Iran war has pushed diesel 
prices to record levels, and his tariffs have cost Americans thousands.
  How does he address the affordability crisis he created?
  It is by slapping a New America label on the State of New Mexico. Let 
me give Mr. Trump a history lesson. New Mexicans are proud of our name 
and proudly patriotic. New Mexican soldiers fought in the Revolutionary 
War. We defeated the Confederacy at Glorieta Pass and stopped slavery's 
westward march. We fought for civil rights.
  A New Mexican won the Supreme Court case declaring that Native 
Americans had the right to vote in every election everywhere.
  While Trump makes billions off his Presidency and tries to gut Head 
Start, New Mexicans have universal childcare, free college, and no 
child will go hungry in our classrooms.
  We have multicultural bilingual education that celebrates our 
diversity in a State that is 49 percent Latino, 11 percent Native 
American, and has some of the best ranchers and dairy farmers anywhere.
  Hardworking New Mexicans are the opposite of the gold-collared, 
corrupt politicians who cater to Trump no matter how crazy he acts.
  Mr. Trump, New Mexico has been New Mexico since before you got to 
these shores, and we will always be New Mexico.


       moment of silence honoring indian boarding school victims

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 
30, 2026, as National Day of Remembrance to honor those who were forced 
to attend Indian boarding schools and to recognize Indian boarding 
school victims and survivors.
  Across New Mexico, there were 52 Indian boarding schools where Native 
American children were forced to relinquish their own indigenous 
heritage and language.
  I call upon my colleagues to support H.R. 7325, the Truth and Healing 
Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act, 
to formally investigate, document, and report on boarding schools, 
their policies, and the generational effects on Native American 
peoples.
  We must support the healing of survivors, descendants, and Tribal 
communities. Many of the children never returned home to their families 
or their communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence for those children who did 
not survive, and may they never be forgotten.


                    honoring the life of randy lupe

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Randy 
Lupe, a wildland firefighter who helped protect New Mexico during the 
Frijoles fire.
  A member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Randy came with California 
Complex Incident Management Team 8 as the fire threatened rural 
communities. He spent 10 days supporting the response, carrying with 
him nearly 30 years of experience.
  Randy brought laughter to long assignments and faith to difficult 
moments. He prayed with his crew, lifted their spirits, stood up for 
his fellow firefighters, and lived by a simple creed: Do what is right.
  Tragically, Randy died as a result of a medical emergency while 
serving our communities. He is one of 61 firefighters we have lost this 
fire season.

  Northern New Mexico mourns Randy and honors his sacrifice. He 
answered the call when we needed him most. We will remember him as a 
hero.


                       honoring catherine garduno

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Catherine 
Garduno who recently passed away in Penasco, New Mexico, at the age of 
96.
  Catherine embodied resilience, faith, service, and love of country. 
The youngest of 12 children born to a sheepherder and a cook, she 
became her family's first college graduate, earning an education degree 
from the College of St. Joseph in Albuquerque.
  A letter to Senator Pete Domenici brought her to our Nation's 
Capital, an experience she shared throughout her 35 years as an 
elementary schoolteacher. She even taught my district director in third 
grade.
  Widowed, Catherine raised six children with strength and devotion. A 
devout Catholic, she received the Archbishop of Santa Fe's St. Francis 
Award for Volunteer of the Year. Her legacy passed down through her 
nephew, the late Raul Grijalva, and her great-niece, Congresswoman 
Adelita Grijalva. Her courage, faith, hope, and love shaped 
generations.

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