Rest in Power, Raúl Grijalva

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On Thursday, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) passed away at 77 due to complications from cancer treatment.

“First elected to Congress in 2002, Grijalva won re-election 11 times,” NBC News noted. “He rose to become chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, a post he held from 2015 to 2019, and most recently was the top Democrat on the committee. He also was the longest-serving co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, from 2009 to 2019, in addition to being a senior member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.”

I have known Grijalva since I founded Latino Rebels in 2011, and I will always remember him as one of our community’s greatest leaders. He was always available and accessible whenever I or our team had questions, and all our conversations were epic.

He deeply cared.

That showed when he submitted an opinion piece in 2022 for Latino Rebels about what would have been César Chávez’s 95th birthday. His pitch only confirmed what I already knew about him.

Rep. Grijalva always put community first, and his words made Latino Rebels feel like part of that community. I will never forget that or the times he told me to always keep pushing forward. This is bigger than all of us.

He also cared a lot about Puerto Rico. For the son of a Mexican bracero, Rep. Grijalva was one of the most knowledgeable politicians about the island colony.

“Raúl was deeply committed to the people of Puerto Rico. His leadership was essential in passing the Puerto Rico Status Act, working tirelessly to bring together voices from all sides to find common ground on the island’s future. With a steady hand and a deep respect for self-determination, he helped push the conversation forward when it mattered most,” Rep. Nydia Velázquez said. “Above all, Raúl was my friend. His kindness and humor made him a joy to know. He believed in treating all people with dignity and respect. His legacy will continue to inspire us to fight for a better, fairer, and more just world.”

Many others felt the same way about Rep. Grijalva. Here is just a small sampling of those tributes. (The Associated Press published a much longer list.)

“Congressman Grijalva was a kind man and a leader who listened. He received social justice advocates in his offices with open arms and treated us with the familiarity of a grandpa, commending us for our efforts, giving us advice and encouraging our advocacy. This is a sad day. We have lost an elder but gained an ancestor. May he rest in power,” Chispa Arizona Executive Director Vianey Olivarría said in a statement.

“Congressman Grijalva was a respected policymaker in the Latino community and the halls of Congress—across party lines. He leaves behind a legacy that prioritized fairness and protecting human rights,” part of a statement from the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) read.

“Rep. Grijalva dedicated his life to advancing equity and justice, championing policies that uplifted countless communities across the nation. His impact will be felt for generations, inspiring future leaders to continue the fight for a fairer and more inclusive society,” Voto Latino said.

Rest in power indeed.

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What We’re Reading

Grijalva Obituary: From Pablo Manríquez at Migrant Insider, “Raúl Grijalva’s gone, and the world’s a smaller, meaner place without him. I met him back when I was scrubbing plates at the Tune Inn, that Capitol Hill dive where lawmakers drowned their votes in bourbon. Dozens stumbled through—senators, congressmen, the whole suited circus—but Grijalva stood apart.”

Gracias, Arturo: Speaking of NALEO, an organization that has always pushed for greater Latino political representation and voice, The Latino Newsletter would like to thank outgoing CEO Arturo Vargas for all he did over the years.

And congratulations to incoming CEO Erica Bernal-Martinez.

About the Author

Julio Ricardo Varela is the founder and publisher of The Latino Newsletter.

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