[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 87 (Thursday, June 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO RAUL H. CASTRO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 2009

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Raul H. 
Castro, Arizona's first Hispanic Governor, who has devoted his life to 
ensuring democracy for all.
  To review the lifelong commitments of Governor Castro is to describe 
the epitome of the American Dream.
  Born in Mexico, he immigrated to a community near Douglas, AZ in his 
teenage years. The son of a copper miner and a midwife, he overcame 
great poverty and adversity as a young adult. He was always committed 
to his family and the need to do something great with his life. In high 
school he was a stellar athlete and student, which taught him 
discipline and earned him an athletic scholarship for college. In 
college, he was an undefeated boxer, winning mostly by knockout and 
earning the name the ``Douglas Destroyer.''
  Governor Castro worked diligently through school, completing his 
first degree in higher education in 1939, the same year he became a 
United States citizen. He worked for the U.S. State Department as a 
Foreign Service officer in Agua Prieta, Sonora for a period of time, 
then applied and was accepted at the University of Arizona, where he 
earned his Juris Doctor degree.
  He then practiced law in Tucson, AZ, became deputy Pima County 
Attorney and was elected Pima County Superior Court Judge. In his six 
years on the Superior Court bench, he gained a reputation of being fair 
and grew further respected in the community for his work and commitment 
to justice.
  It wouldn't take long for the country to notice the young judge from 
Pima County. President Lyndon Johnson appointed Raul as U.S. Ambassador 
to El Salvador in 1964, where he served until 1968. He then served as 
Ambassador to Bolivia from 1968-1969, and returned to Tucson to 
specialize in international law.
  His work abroad became a benefit for the state of Arizona. He 
continued his commitment to his country by becoming active in Arizona 
Democratic Party politics, and ultimately won a spirited campaign for 
the governorship in 1974, becoming Arizona's first Hispanic governor.
  Governor Castro wouldn't complete his term, President Jimmy Carter 
selected him to represent the United States again and serve as 
Ambassador to Argentina, where he served until 1980.
  Governor Castro returned to Arizona and devoted more than two decades 
to practicing law. He has recently retired to Nogales, AZ where he 
remains involved in the community.
  Governor Castro's story is one of inspiration for young and old 
alike. He has shown all aspects of the American Dream, to work hard, 
care about your community and success will follow. Arizona and this 
nation have been blessed by his commitment to democracy and justice.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Governor Castro and thank him for 
being a role model for so many of us.

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