I thought I’d update you on some of the progress we’ve made here in the Fourth District. Just last month I secured over $12.4 million for 10 critical community projects across the district. We’re making progress from infrastructure improvements and academic enhancement to community resilience, revitalization, and innovation.

For the first time in its 233-year history, a Black woman has been confirmed to sit on the Supreme Court. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s qualifications, record on the bench, and her historic achievement today speak for themselves.

It took us over two centuries to take this significant step, and we will continue to work to break the barriers that prevent Black leaders from reaching the upper echelons of government and many parts of society.

For nearly fifty years we have marked Black History Month by recognizing and honoring the contributions and achievements of Black Americans. It’s a time to celebrate and highlight the wide-ranging roles so many have played in our country’s history. We also reflect on the contributions of African Americans and how important it is for all of us to make our communities more equitable and just.