Emilia Strong Sykes
Representative for Ohio · Democratic · United States
“Wheelchair USA Ambassador and has won Ms. Wheelchair USA Ohio seven times. This year, she competed for Ms. Wheelchair USA All-Star, representing Ohio for its 30th anniversary. Dianna has accomplished many milestones.”
House of Representatives3 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dianna Warren as Ohio's 13th Congressional District champion of the week. Dianna is a Canton native and proud graduate of Canton McKinley High School.”
House of Representatives3 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for bringing us together to highlight what we saw while we were home. I also thank my colleague and neighbor to the north for sharing some of what she heard in Cleveland. It didn't change too much a little further down Route 77, and what we saw in Ohio's 13th Congressional District.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“My Lower Your Taxes Act expands the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit, and my No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act-- underline ``all''--will help you keep more of what you earn. That includes all workers and not just the few who are in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“For us in Ohio's 13th District, it is even worse because our largest employers are hospital systems, so not only are we talking about access to care, but we are talking about the people who work in these jobs. It is not just the doctors, the nurses, and the folks who provide direct care.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“According to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the average rent in Ohio's 13th District has increased 16 percent since 2019, making housing less affordable for renters who are on a fixed income, but that is not even the half of it.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
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“I congratulate Dianna on her many accomplishments, representing our community with such pride and helping to show why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is proudly known as the Birthplace of Champions. ____________________”
House of Representatives3 September 2026Source ↗
“Wheelchair USA Ambassador and has won Ms. Wheelchair USA Ohio seven times. This year, she competed for Ms. Wheelchair USA All-Star, representing Ohio for its 30th anniversary. Dianna has accomplished many milestones. Among them, she was the first disabled person to bowl in the Canton City Women's Tournament, and she was inducted into the Canton Women's Hall of Fame. Dianna recently shared: ``It means a lot to me that I can open up so many more opportunities and continue to educate people about disabilities.'' Several years ago, I had the opportunity to judge the Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant when it was held in the district, and I can tell you that these contestants from all over the country were inspiring, impressive, and the very best of American exceptionalism.”
House of Representatives3 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dianna Warren as Ohio's 13th Congressional District champion of the week. Dianna is a Canton native and proud graduate of Canton McKinley High School. She was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of 6 and has dedicated over 40 years of advocating for and educating others about people with disabilities and promoting greater understanding and inclusion. She has served as Ms.”
House of Representatives3 September 2026Source ↗
“My constituents can't wait. If we are being honest, Mr. Speaker, yours cannot wait either. If we are not doing the will of the people, what are we even doing here? We are wasting time, energy, and more money than we already have. We must pass commonsense legislation to lower costs now before we head back home, because how dare we go campaign for our seats when we aren't making the lives of people in the United States of America better.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“My Lower Your Taxes Act expands the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit, and my No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act-- underline ``all''--will help you keep more of what you earn. That includes all workers and not just the few who are in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. I also supported the TIPS Act to end Federal income tax on tipped wages. I also voted for the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which has been signed into law, thankfully, because of our previous administration, ensuring that teachers, firefighters, and other public employees receive their full Social Security benefits. Mr. Speaker, we have an affordability crisis here, and there are solutions available. The Democratic Caucus, as well as the CBC, is fighting for an affordable America, but Congress is doing nothing to solve the problem.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“As the co-leader in the Housing Affordability Working Group, I am leading legislation that lowers housing costs for renters and homeowners alike. I introduced the HOMES Act, which ends tax breaks for private equity firms buying up houses in Ohio and across the country, making it more difficult for people to find a place to live. To bring down the cost of healthcare, I am fighting to reinstate the enhanced ACA tax credits and to repeal cuts to Medicaid and Medicare that will throw people off of their healthcare and put our hospitals at risk of closure. Visiting a doctor when you are sick shouldn't be a privilege reserved for just those who can afford it. That is why I am also working to keep more money in people's pockets.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“Maybe somebody will play the tape back since no one seems to want to be here for this important discussion, but I am going to go ahead and provide some solutions. First of all, gas prices have skyrocketed. Why? It is because of Trump's reckless war of choice in Iran. The military actions have resulted in the loss of life for 18 servicemembers, with hundreds more injured. We don't even know some numbers because they are hiding them. The costs to Americans are in the billions--billions of dollars. We cannot afford this reckless war. It is one of the reasons why gas prices are high, as well as the cost of goods. I voted five times--five--one, two, three, four, five times to end this reckless war. Yet, here we are: new strikes on Iran with no end in sight.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“For us in Ohio's 13th District, it is even worse because our largest employers are hospital systems, so not only are we talking about access to care, but we are talking about the people who work in these jobs. It is not just the doctors, the nurses, and the folks who provide direct care. The accountants, those in the supply chain, the people supplying toilet paper--all of this is going to impact my community. It is not only their health and well-being, but the economic backbone and our economic engine are suffering. When I was elected to Congress, I promised to bring my constituents' voices with me to Washington. That is why I am here, even though the room is empty, standing here before you, Mr. Speaker, to raise awareness about rising costs and to offer some solutions.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“According to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the average rent in Ohio's 13th District has increased 16 percent since 2019, making housing less affordable for renters who are on a fixed income, but that is not even the half of it. The cost of healthcare continues to rise, and harmful cuts to Medicaid and Medicare enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act began taking effect this year. That means that 37,000 residents in our area are seeing higher healthcare costs tied to the end of the enhanced ACA tax credits, while nearly 30,000 people are losing healthcare coverage due to changes in Medicaid and marketplace eligibility rules. The State of Ohio saw the second highest number of people unenrolled--that means uninsured--because of the cuts to the ACA tax credits.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“That is on top of the fact that there are aggressive, aggressive cuts to SNAP benefits, making it all even worse. During the work period, my office and I hosted several housing roundtables--several. I repeatedly heard from seniors who are worried about staying in their homes. Whether it is the cost of property taxes that are pricing them out, or whether they can't pay for improvements like ramps and railings to help them get around, they are concerned about whether or not they will be able to age in place. Also, don't get them started on their children, who they just can't seem to get out of their basements. They are concerned that they will never be able to get their kids out of their homes because they simply cannot afford another place to live.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for bringing us together to highlight what we saw while we were home. I also thank my colleague and neighbor to the north for sharing some of what she heard in Cleveland. It didn't change too much a little further down Route 77, and what we saw in Ohio's 13th Congressional District. I am here to highlight those issues, about what we heard during our district work period. Just one word: affordability. Gas, groceries, housing, and healthcare all just cost too much, and wages aren't keeping up with the sharp increases that we have seen in these everyday essentials. Ohio's households are paying an average of $2,200 more per year in basic living expenses. They just don't have it. Meanwhile, at home, young people stopped me to share that they are worried about the steep increases in gas prices.”
House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗
“After previously recognizing Marcus for representing the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, I am proud to once again celebrate his achievements and the pride that he brings to our community. Marcus earned his second career X Games gold medal and seventh X Games medal overall with a remarkable performance that showcased why he is one of the world's best BMX riders. Marcus is a proud product of Stark County and a graduate of Lake High School. After turning professional at just 13 years old, Marcus has continued to push the limits of BMX, or bicycle motocross, on the world's biggest stages. I congratulate Marcus on this incredible achievement. His talent, determination, and dedication to his craft are exactly why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is proudly known as the Birthplace of Champions. ____________________”
House of Representatives16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Marcus Christopher as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week after capturing the gold medal in BMX Park at the X Games in Chiba, Japan.”
House of Representatives16 July 2026Source ↗
“Changes to the Social Security Administration that prevent beneficiaries from accessing their full benefits are nothing more than backdoor benefit cuts, and I will not stand for it. I will always stand in the way of these wolf-in-sheep's-clothing policies. We already know that this is just a setup for cuts, and these changes are setups to pay for tax giveaways for the richest, the billionaires, and greedy corporations. Mr. Speaker, I hear my colleagues say that there is a mandate, but I don't think that there is a mandate to take housing, food, and healthcare away from our seniors. I ask you and all of my colleagues who I serve with to make sure that we protect Social Security, keep it solvent, and ensure that we are protecting the benefits that they have earned for hard work over several years and decades of service. ____________________”
House of Representatives30 April 2025Source ↗
“Our seniors rely on Social Security to pay their bills, to put food on their tables, to keep a roof over their head, and if the Social Security Administration makes a mistake, it can be addressed in time. However, our seniors can't afford to foot the bill for when they make errors. With more than 97,000 residents of my district living under the poverty line and 175,000 residents relying on Social Security, these payments are, in fact, a lifeline. In what world is this going to improve America? In what world is taking a lifeline away from seniors improving our economy, and in what world is constantly raising and lowering the hopes of some of our most vulnerable neighbors making America great again?”
House of Representatives30 April 2025Source ↗
“I have heard from countless people in my community, they are thrilled that they were finally able to get the Social Security benefit that they deserve and earned. There wasn't anywhere that I could go in the community: church, the grocery store, the gym, restaurants, someone always stopped me to thank me for voting for the Social Security Fairness Act and to tell me a story of how it is going to change lives. You can imagine my disappointment as the Social Security Administration has taken recent actions to hurt, not help, the American people, including those in Ohio's 13th. From cutting phone helplines, to requiring certain services be conducted in person, to slowing down processing times, and closing offices, the American people are not getting the service they earned from the Social Security Administration.”
House of Representatives30 April 2025Source ↗
“The Social Security Fairness Act is estimated to result in an average increase of $360 per month for more than 2.5 million Social Security recipients, according to the Congressional Budget Office. These are our teachers, firefighters, and other public service employees who have dedicated their careers and their lives to serving and ultimately improving their communities. At a time when people have been struggling to make ends meet, these benefits could not have come at a better time. This was a major victory for Ohio's 13th District and all of America, one that I was proud to support as a cosponsor, then by signing the discharge petition to bring it to the House floor before finally voting on it here on behalf of the constituents that I represent.”
House of Representatives30 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, we started this year on a high note. On January 5, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, expanding Social Security for thousands of Americans whose benefits, that they earned through years of hard work, were cut because of bad policies.”
House of Representatives30 April 2025Source ↗
“Congratulations again to Superintendent Jeff Wendorf on his well- deserved retirement. He is a shining example of why this community is known as the ``Birthplace of Champions,'' and I wish him many more years of happiness and prosperity. ____________________”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Since he began serving as the superintendent in 2016, North Canton has consistently been ranked as one of the top school districts not just in Stark County but throughout the State of Ohio. Just last year, the district received a 5-star rating, the highest, on its school report card from the Ohio Department of Education for the 2023-2024 school year. Throughout his career, Superintendent Wendorf has led by example, demonstrating perseverance, compassion, and dedication for his community, all while supporting strong public schools. For his outstanding devotion, he earned the respect and esteem of many students and educators alike. While his character and decisive leadership will be sorely missed, I am confident that his numerous contributions will serve as an inspiration for everyone in the wake of his departure.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate and announce as our champion of the week North Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Wendorf on his retirement after a 40-year career serving the students of North Canton as a teacher, coach, and administrator.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the University of Akron men's basketball team as Ohio's 13th Congressional District Champion of the Week. The Zips recently won their third Mid-American Conference Championship in 4 years when they took down the Miami RedHawks with a final score of 76-74.”
House of Representatives27 March 2025Source ↗
“Speaker, we also built the best middle class that this country has ever seen, but we cannot repeat history and continue to expose our communities and our rubber workers to these toxic chemicals. This resolution poses a danger to the public health of our communities across the country.”
House of Representatives5 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Reverend Dr. Curtis Theodore Walker, Sr. as Ohio's 13th Congressional District Champion of the Week for his 50-year career in ministry. Reverend Walker has served as a minister and pastor at multiple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Churches in New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Alabama.”
House of Representatives27 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of a dedicated and true public servant, Detective Jerry Gachett, who is retiring from the Akron Police Department. I am honored to be standing here today talking about a man who has served the Akron community so humbly for over 31 years and who I am proud to call a friend. Jerry was born in Alabama and raised in Akron, where he graduated from the John R.”
House of Representatives25 February 2025Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Khirye Tyler as Ohio's 13th Congressional District Champion of the Week. Khirye is a music producer and recently worked on the production for Beyonce's country album, ``Cowboy Carter,'' which won Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys.”
House of Representatives12 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Rick Cardinal and Wendi Damm as Ohio's 13th Congressional District Champions of the Week. Rick and Wendi are chemistry teachers at Barberton High School, and this year, they each earned the Gene Easter Award, which recognizes science teachers who demonstrate in their classrooms the importance of science and chemistry.”
House of Representatives23 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While most people don't equate national parks with metropolitan areas and sprawling suburbs, Ohio's 13th Congressional District is proud to be the home of the Nation's most beautiful landscape, which is the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.”
House of Representatives23 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate the birthday of a very important fixture of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the country, and the world: the Goodyear Blimp. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the inaugural flight of the first Goodyear blimp, known as Pilgrim.”
House of Representatives16 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Christopher Brooks as Ohio's 13th Congressional District champion of the week. Christopher is a senior AP art student at Canton McKinley High School. This year, he was awarded a Gold Key, two Silver Keys, and an honorable mention in the regional scholastic art competition.”
House of Representatives15 January 2025Source ↗