HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALFONSO "AL" RODRIGUEZ

On 2026-07-22, Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALFONSO "AL" RODRIGUEZ" in the House.

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALFONSO "AL" RODRIGUEZ

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E728-E729] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALFONSO ``AL'' RODRIGUEZ ______ HON. YASSAMIN ANSARI of arizona in the house of representatives Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Ms. ANSARI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life and legacy of Alfonso ``Al'' Rodriguez, a beloved mentor, community leader, and pillar of Arizona's boxing community. After more than six decades of dedicated service to young people and boxers across the Valley, Rodriguez passed away on July 6, 2026. While his passing marks the end of an extraordinary life, his legacy will endure through the countless lives he impacted and through the continued work of the Rodriguez Boxing Club. Al and his wife, Carmen Rodriguez, moved from Texas to Arizona, where they raised five children: Al Rodriguez, Jr., Carolina Olmos, Ofelia Hooper, Fernando Rodriguez, and Seferino ``Sefe'' Rodriguez. As a third-generation boxer, Al founded the Rodriguez Boxing Club in the backyard of his Mesa home in 1961, where he began coaching his children while instilling in them the notion that everyone is a ``diamond in the rough''. To Al, every individual possessed the potential to become a champion, both inside and outside the ring. That belief became the foundation of the Rodriguez Boxing Club, a gym in the heart of downtown Phoenix and a refuge for generations of young people. For decades, the gym has provided a safe, welcoming environment where youth can develop discipline, confidence, and resilience. Operating as a non-profit organization, the Rodriguez Boxing Club has remained committed to ensuring that it is accessible to all members of the community. Today, Al's children continue to carry forward his mission with the same compassion, dedication, and commitment to service that defined their father's life. Through their leadership, the Rodriguez Boxing Club remains a testament to Al's enduring belief in the transformative power of mentorship, opportunity, and community. It is my privilege to recognize the remarkable life of Alfonso ``Al'' Rodriguez and to honor his more than six decades of service to Arizona's 3rd Congressional District. [[Page E729]] ____________________