Reps. Casten, García Tour Frida Kahlo Exhibit, Ride Metra, Meet with Local Leaders

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL) joined U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) in IL-06 for a day of events ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15. The tour focused on community investment, inclusion, recognition of the Chicagoland Latino community.

Rep. Casten and Rep. García began the day with a tour of the Frida Kahlo Exhibit at the College of DuPage, highlighting the strong cultural contributions and presence of the Hispanic community in the Chicagoland area. This comprehensive presentation of the life and works of Frida Kahlo features 26 original pieces as well as an immersive historical exhibit that provides a framework of the life, circumstances and events that led to Kahlo becoming one of the most important painters of the 20th century and of our time.

Rep. Casten and Rep. García then rode the Metra Train from Glen Ellyn to West Chicago to underscore the need to invest additional funding into public transit, improving our roads, bridges, and railways while lowering our carbon footprint in the race to tackle climate change. During the ride, Rep. García and Rep. Casten participated in an Instagram Live, which you can watch here.

The day concluded with lunch and a meeting with West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda, where they discussed infrastructure, community investment, and other local priorities.

"As Congress prepares to pass a reconciliation package, investment in the Latino community must be a priority," said Rep. Casten. "This fall, we have a once-in-a-generation chance to invest in public transit, improve our roads, bridges, and railways, and lower our carbon footprint at the same time. The recent IPCC makes it overwhelmingly clear that this is our last chance to combat the climate crisis. We have an opportunity to improve the trains folks take to work, the roads they travel to visit family, and ensure our children inherit a livable planet. Congress must make this a top priority."

"A robust recovery must include Latinos, immigrants and working-class families, and that means providing a pathway to citizenship. Immigrant families in communities like mine work hard to keep our country going, and we can't rebuild without them," said Congressman García. "Congress must move forward as soon as possible with a budget reconciliation package that includes a pathway to citizenship for immigrants and lifts all families across the country."

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