congressional_record: CREC-2026-02-20-pt1-PgE146
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| CREC-2026-02-20-pt1-PgE146 | 2026-02-20 | 119 | 2 | CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | CELEBRATING | E146 | E146 | [{"name": "Teresa Leger Fernandez", "role": "speaking"}] | 172 Cong. Rec. E146 | Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E146] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH ______ HON. TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ of new mexico in the house of representatives Friday, February 20, 2026 Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, Black History is New Mexico History. From Estevanico, an enslaved man who was the first, that we know of, non-Indigenous person to step foot in New Mexico after an adventure through the Americas that should be legend, to the Buffalo Soldiers who stood watch across this territory, and to the families who built Blackdom out of dust and determination. While the Black community in New Mexico may be small in number, it has never been small in impact. Our state's story cannot be told without them. Before statehood, before the railroads, and before the border crossed us, Black history here has been a story of people who kept showing up. They showed up when there were only 22 Black residents counted in the territory. They showed up when hotels were segregated and yearbooks placed Black students in the back pages. They showed up when banks would not lend and schools would not welcome them. Now, we are all showing up together. There are forces right now that want to erase this history, to whitewash it and ban it from schools, and to call conversations about race ``divisive.'' They have even posted racist videos attacking the Black excellence of a former President and First Lady. They attack Black culture, immigrant culture, and Native culture--as if the richness of our heritage is something to be feared. It may feel like they are winning. But in New Mexico, we know our cultures are not threats. They are treasures. We will not stand by while anyone tries to diminish them. As John Lewis reminded us: ``The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society.'' He also reminded us that ``democracy is not a state. It is an act.'' We believe democracy works best when everyone participates. We come from builders. They built culture. Culture is power. Culture is how people survive what was meant to break them. Black culture will survive this. We will organize. When they try to intimidate voters, we will mobilize. When they try to erase history, we will teach it louder. When they try to tear down our cultures, we will build them up. ____________________ |