Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Jesus G. "Chuy" Garcia

Democrat on Recognizing Chicago Alderperson Michael Rodriguez 2026-09-15

220 words · 9 sentences · 14 clauses

Statement grade

A–

Average 86 / 100

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Procedure 11%Claims 60%Anecdote 12%The ask 14%Positioning 2%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Madam Speaker, Procedure · 25 wordsI rise today to bring attention to the closing of the Chicago and California branches of the National Archives and the relocation of the records.¹Procedure Claims · 106 wordsThe leadership at the National Archives and Records Administration argues that the transition to digital recordkeeping has resulted in a growing volume of extra space at both branches.² However, there has not been a full plan for this transition shared with employees, stakeholders, or the public. People from across our region and Nation visit the facility in Chicago to obtain census and naturalization records to prove citizenship status, to find information about Great Lakes vessels on which they serve, to find information about exam records to identify their ancestors, or to study major historical events like the 1894 Pullman Strike and the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. Anecdote · 27 wordsIn a recent visit to the Chicago National Archives branch, I was able to find my father’s naturalization application.³ This is an important piece of family history.Anecdote Claims · 27 wordsThe work of agencies, museums, scholars, teachers, and the public continues to depend on access to these records, which are vital to our history and NARA’s mission. The ask · 31 wordsNARA must immediately halt the relocation, provide Congress with the necessary information about the agency’s plans, and reverse this decision to move the more than 140,000 cubic feet of historical records.⁴ Positioning · 4 wordsHistory must be protected.Positioning

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 72

4 of 4 deductions are Signal

Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I rise today to bring attention to the closing of the Chicago and California branches of the National Archives and the relocation of the records.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “In a recent visit to the Chicago National Archives branch, I was able to find my father’s naturalization application.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “This is an important piece of family history.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “History must be protected.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · no score

Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.

Respect · no score

Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.

Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.

Clarity · 100

0 of 4 deductions are Clarity

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

Nothing lost points.

Claims · 4

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

1“the closing of the Chicago and California branches of the National Archives and the relocation of the records”The National Archives is closing its Chicago and California branches and relocating the records held there.search
2“the transition to digital recordkeeping has resulted in a growing volume of extra space at both branches”NARA leadership has said that the transition to digital recordkeeping has produced growing amounts of extra space at the Chicago and California branches.search
3“I was able to find my father’s naturalization application”During a recent visit to the Chicago National Archives branch, Jesus Garcia found his father’s naturalization application there.search
4“the more than 140,000 cubic feet of historical records”The decision to relocate records from the Chicago and California National Archives branches involves more than 140,000 cubic feet of historical records.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-17