HONORING THE LIFE OF REPRESENTATIVE RAUL GRIJALVA

On 2025-03-31, Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE OF REPRESENTATIVE RAUL GRIJALVA" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered taxes, climate policy.

HONORING THE LIFE OF REPRESENTATIVE RAUL GRIJALVA

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1369-H1371] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF REPRESENTATIVE RAUL GRIJALVA (Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. Espaillat of New York was recognized for 30 minutes.) General Leave Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material into the record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise to honor the life and legacy of Congressman Raul Grijalva. Raul Grijalva passed away peacefully on March 13 of this year, surrounded by his wife and three daughters. Born in Tucson, Arizona, on February 19, 1948, he was raised in a close-knit community with his sisters, Lydia and Norma. A proud Sunnyside High graduate, he met and married the love of his life, Ramona Garduno, in 1971. Together, they raised three daughters: Adelita, Raquel, and Marisa. They built a life rooted in service and activism. His parents instilled in him the value of hard work, perseverance, and giving back to the community. He dedicated over 50 years to public service, beginning with the Tucson Unified School Board in 1974, and later serving on the Pima County Board of Supervisors. As a U.S. Congressman for 22 years, he championed education, environmental protection, social justice, and Native-American sovereignty. His leadership helped secure the 2023 designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument, protecting nearly 1 million acres of Tribal land. Known as the most liberal Member of Congress, he never wavered in his fight for justice and equality. He never shied away from that dignified title. A devoted husband, father, and Tata, he cherished his family and treasured time with his grandchildren. He had a sharp wit about him, a deep love for music and books, and a knack for doodling during meetings. Many of us saw him do his artwork in some our committee meetings. His staff and volunteers, the Grijalvistas, were like family, standing by him in his lifelong pursuit of progress. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is standing firm with his family during this time of sorrow and need. I know that they are watching this proceeding. I want to salute them and tell them we love them and we stand with them. Raul Grijalva's unwavering commitment to justice and his community will continue to inspire generations to come. Since coming to Congress and joining the Natural Resources Committee, Raul Grijalva was one of the most outspoken champions for environmental justice, public lands, indigenous rights, climate change, and corporate accountability. He was a visionary leader, both on the committee and as co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, amplifying the voices of historically silenced communities. From Louisiana's Cancer Alley to Alaskan Native communities in the Arctic, he fought for those most impacted by environmental harm. Under his chairmanship in the 117th Congress, the Natural Resources Committee signed 149 natural resource bills into law. In the minority, he proved that aggressive and effective oversight was possible, holding the Trump administration accountable and exposing corruption. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro). Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be here tonight with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and with our Democratic leader as well, to celebrate and remember a man who made a difference: Raul Grijalva. He never forgot where he came from. Just as importantly, he never forgot why he came. He was somebody who lent a voice to the vulnerable and to the folks who had been discarded and forgotten. He was a man of his community. I served 10 years in Austin in the State legislature and am now in year 13 here. As I meet all the people that represent and serve the districts that they do, I always wonder how closely each person represents the average person walking down the street in their district. Raul Grijalva was that every person. To me, that is one of the biggest compliments that can be paid not only to the people who sent him here but also to him. He left the same way he came in, a man of principle who stood up for what he believed, who fought for the people that he represented, and always spoke truth to power. He was a legend of Mexican-American activism, known across the country for protecting our national parks, the environment, fighting for early childhood education and higher education, and uplifting immigrants and marginalized communities. As all of us know, he was also a kind and brilliant man. He had a kind heart but a fierce spirit. He was a fearless voice for Arizonans and all Americans. Mr. Speaker, Raul will be missed. My condolences go out to his family and to his community. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries). Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, my good friend, Adriano Espaillat, for his [[Page H1370]] leadership and for convening us on the floor today in honor of an iconic, heroic, and trailblazing Member of Congress, Raul Grijalva. It was an honor for all of us to have had the opportunity to serve with Chairman Grijalva. He was a mentor to many. His principled leadership was a North Star for so many in this Congress. He was a leading progressive voice throughout the years but a friend to all. {time} 2120 We know that throughout his time and throughout his journey in public service it was a journey that led to his working year after year, decade after decade, century into century, laboring in the vineyards of his community and ultimately the country to make a difference in the lives of others who might otherwise have been left behind. He was an iconic Mexican-American leader and an iconic American leader. We are also appreciative of his life, of his leadership, and of the tremendous legacy that Congressman Raul Grijalva leaves behind. Congressman Grijalva throughout the years did many things, from community organizer to school board member, from school board member to county supervisor, from county supervisor to Member of Congress, from Member of Congress to chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. Through that journey, year after year, decade after decade, and century into century, Raul Grijalva held many titles. His North Star remained the same. He was a defender of the disenfranchised, a voice for the voiceless, a climate champion, and a powerful, profound, principled, purposeful, and progressive public servant who made a difference in the lives of so many people. We are going to miss Raul Grijalva. We will miss his wisdom, we will miss his insight, we will miss his idealism, and we will miss his laughter and his sense of humor, but we are better off for having had the opportunity to serve with him as individuals. Most importantly, his community is better off, the State of Arizona is better off, the Congress is better off, and the country is better off because of Raul Grijalva and his incredible leadership. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia). Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Espaillat for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to a giant who represented the State of Arizona and all the people of his district but who also helped advance the well-being of our Nation. Arizona has lost a giant, and I lost a dear friend. Raul Grijalva and I both started our careers as community advocates and organizers. We shared a passion for justice and equality in our communities. We both came from working-class families, proud of our Mexican roots, and we both enjoyed a good laugh and a good mariachi. So it was just natural that we would become friends since I arrived in the House over 6 years ago. As chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, he fought for strong environmental protections and authored the Environmental Justice For All Act to empower people to protect their communities. He wanted a cleaner, safer, and more just future for all our children. He was also a staunch defender of Tribal sovereignty and workers' rights. When he was chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, he asked me to serve for one term as his vice chair. It was during that time that Illinois helped facilitate an act in the State of Illinois that required Federal cooperation in that regard as we helped facilitate the recognition of Illinois' first Prairie Band of Potawatomi peoples in the State of Illinois which just last week resulted in the transfer of over 1,500 acres to those Native Americans, the original inhabitants of the land in Illinois. I was honored to work with him to help the people of Puerto Rico receive the long-promised assistance they needed after Hurricane Maria. Raul believed that our country's strength is rooted in our immigrant heritage and worked tirelessly to protect immigrant families and refugees. Whether trying to pass the American Dream and Promise Act, treating immigrants with dignity or stopping the construction of an ineffective and environmentally damaging border wall, Raul never gave up. One of Raul's favorite songs was ``El Rey.'' It means the king, and in particular the line that says: ``It is not only about getting there first, but about how you get there,'' ``No hay que llegar primero, pero hay que saber llegar.'' And what you do along the way, if I may add. I think this phrase perfectly describes the tenacity of everything that Raul Grijalva did and stood for. Raul was a loving father, husband, and a loyal friend. His kindness and dedication will be sorely missed