{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-jill-tokuda-gives-speech-house-floor-congratulating-iam-tongi-winning", "Rep. Jill Tokuda Gives Speech on House Floor Congratulating Iam Tongi on Winning American Idol\u2019s Season 21", "2023-05-23", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Jill N. Tokuda", "T000487", "tokuda.house.gov", "tokuda", "https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=10&", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives to congratulate Hawai\u02bbi-born performer, Iam Tongi, a proud son of Kahuku, on winning American Idol\u2019s Season 21.\n\n\u201cIam Tongi, a proud son of Kahuku, just won American Idol\u2019s Season 21 and today I congratulated him on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Iam captured the hearts of millions across the country with his soulful performances, becoming the first Hawai\u02bbi-born and Pacific Islander contestant to ever win. Like many kama\u02bb\u0101ina, Iam and his family were forced to move to the continent because of the high cost of living. Our children have become our greatest exports. That\u2019s not pono. We must make Hawai\u02bbi more affordable so families like Iam\u2019s don\u2019t have to leave their home,\u201d said Representative Jill Tokuda. \u201cIam, congratulations on winning American Idol. Your music, your story, and your spirit have inspired us all. Hawai\u2018i is so proud of you\u2014 wherever you go, we will always be your \u2018ohana.\u201d\n\nA video of Rep. Tokuda\u2019s remarks can be viewed here and downloaded for media use here.\n\nRep. Tokuda\u2019s remarks as written:\n\nMr. Speaker,\n\nI rise today to congratulate Iam Tongi, a proud son of Kahuku, on winning American Idol\u2019s Season 21.\n\nIam is the first Hawai\u02bbi-born and Pacific Islander contestant to ever win American Idol.\n\nFrom the very beginning, Iam captured the hearts of the judges and viewers across the country with his incredible voice and soulful performances, dedicating many of them to his late father, Rodney.\n\nThroughout his American Idol journey, Iam not only showcased Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s local music on a national stage but also the challenges with getting priced out of paradise.\n\nLike many residents, Iam and his family were forced to move to the continent because of Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s high cost of living.\n\nOur children like Iam have become our greatest exports. That\u2019s not pono. That\u2019s not right. We must make Hawai\u02bbi more affordable so that families like Iam\u2019s don\u2019t have to leave their home.\n\nIam, congratulations again on winning American Idol.\n\nYour music, your story, and your spirit have inspired millions of Americans across this country. Hawai\u2018i is so proud of you, and wherever you go, we will always be your \u2018ohana.\n\nI yield back.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:07:47Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-jill-tokuda-gives-speech-house-floor-congratulating-iam-tongi-winning"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1240402236580849, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}