Out congressman gave an impassioned tribute to Beyoncé on the House floor

Newly elected out congressman Robert Garcia (D-CA) took to the House floor Wednesday to deliver an impassioned tribute to Beyoncé.

Garcia’s brief speech was meant to mark both the end of Black History Month and the beginning of Women’s History Month, he said.

Related:

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“Every single kid deserves the same shot that this country has given me,” said Robert Garcia when he announced his campaign.

“She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she’s now and forever the moment. I want to celebrate none other than who I believe is the undisputed queen of pop and R&B, Beyoncé Knowles Carter,” Garcia said, noting that the “Break My Soul” singer had recently won her 32nd Grammy, making her the artist with the most Grammy wins of all time.

“Beyoncé is so much more than a performer and a singer,” Garcia continued. “She’s a creator and an artist. When the radio said to speed it up, she went slower.”

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He went on to describe seeing Destiny’s Child perform as “life changing.”

“Beyoncé’s also a role model for millions across the country,” he continued. “She stood up for voting rights, for feminism, for women and girls, for my community—the LGBTQ+ community.” The singer’s most recent album, Renaissance, is a tribute to house music and Black LGBTQ+ culture.

“For my generation and so many others, she simply is the greatest of all time. Her story is history,” Garcia concluded, congratulating Beyoncé directly on her career achievements. “You are irreplacable.”

As The Hill notes, members of Congress occasionally deliver one-minute tributes to public figures, constituents, or policy issues on the house floor. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) delivered a speech marking the 20th anniversary of The Simpsons in 2010, and on the 20th anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s death in 2017, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) spoke about the rapper’s legacy.

Garcia, who made headlines in January for opting to swear his oath of office on an original Superman #1 comic from 1939, later tweeted a video of his speech.

“Proud to give the first Congressional tribute ever to @Beyonce on the floor of the U.S. House,” he wrote.

“I think Beyoncé is a legend,” Garcia told TMZ following his speech. “Not only is she an inspiration to millions of people in this country and around the world, but she just made Grammy history. And so, she’s the perfect person to honor.”

“She’s also an incredible activist and a leader,” he said, again noting her support for women and girls as well as the LGBTQ+ community. “I respect that immensely.”