[Pages H1281-H1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ALFREDA HARRIS

  (Ms. Pressley of Massachusetts was recognized to address the House 
for 5 minutes.)
  Ms. PRESSLEY. Madam Chair, I rise today to honor Women's History 
Month. As a practice, I do celebrate Women's History Month every month, 
but today I take the floor to talk about a living legend, Ms. Alfreda 
Harris.
  Ms. Harris is a champion for everyone who calls Boston home and a 
mother of movements. She has committed her life to building community 
and supporting our young people. She is widely known for her dedicated 
work to the Boston Parks Department, actualizing a vision of beautiful 
green space, room to play, and fresh air for all of our children.
  Ms. Harris was the first Black woman to coach in UMass Boston's 
history in 1980 when she was hired in that role, becoming UMass 
Boston's first women's basketball coach. She was also the first female 
head coach at UMass Boston for any sport. She led her basketball teams 
at Roxbury Community College and the University of Massachusetts Boston 
to an outstanding 136-20 career record.
  Her tenure on the Boston School Committee is defined by her lasting 
commitment to strengthening Boston

[[Page H1282]]

through decades of transition, grappling with the impact of 
segregation, and working toward a vision of educational equity for all. 
When she retired, she did so as the longest serving member of the 
Boston School Committee.
  Madam Speaker, she remains a source of inspiration to many. This 
Women's History Month, let's give this historymaker her flowers. We 
love and honor Ms. Harris.


                      Calling Out Signalgate Chat

  Ms. PRESSLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to call out the recklessness of 
those in this administration entrusted with our national security. I 
did not think I would see a day where someone with the highest security 
clearance is using a phone messaging app to treat matters of national 
security with such blatant disregard, celebrating with emojis in a 
group chat as they unlawfully authorize military actions.
  This administration continues to make history for all the wrong 
reasons. I struggle to find a reference point because this is beyond 
the pale: the disregard for human life and national security.
  Let me just make this abundantly clear to the American people. Secure 
channels of communication do exist to discuss classified military 
action. They sure as hell are not a Signal group chat. It is imperative 
that information like this be handled with sensitivity.
  Under this administration, the United States foreign policy is a 
failure. Decades of diplomatic efforts to build good will and keep the 
American people safe have been upended. We have an unelected 
billionaire gutting lifesaving programs like USAID's essential work to 
feed newborns and to give medicine to war zones.
  Meanwhile, we have a cast of characters in these roles, having 
nothing to do with merit. It is simply their fealty and loyalty to 
Donald Trump. We have a cast of characters ordering military strikes in 
a group chat with a random journalist in it.
  This is nothing to be cavalier about. This is not a drill. It is not 
a joke. Every person involved should be investigated by Congress. In 
particular, Pete Hegseth is proving himself to be unqualified to lead 
the Department of Defense and should never have been confirmed by the 
Senate.
  Madam Speaker, this national security failure is proof that he cannot 
serve this country's best interests, and I call for Pete Hegseth to 
resign.

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