[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 16 (Thursday, February 3, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING EDDIE ESCOBEDO

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I extend my condolences to the family of my 
good friend Mr. Eddie Escobedo, who passed away in Las Vegas, NV, on 
October 15, 2010. He was 77 years old.
  Eddie left behind his loving wife of 50 years, Dona Maria Escobedo, 
his children, Eddie, Jr., Hilda, Nicolas, Victor, and nine 
grandchildren. His passing leaves an empty place in the lives of those 
who knew and loved him, but it also leaves an enormous void in the Las 
Vegas community.
  Eddie was best known as the publisher of the Spanish-language El 
Mundo newspaper and a strong advocate for the Hispanic community. He 
arrived in southern Nevada when approximately 60,000 people lived in 
the Las Vegas Valley. His assertive leadership drew attention to the 
issues that pertain specifically to the Latino community, paving the 
way for hundreds of thousands of them who now reside in Nevada.
  Eddie was born in Juarez, Mexico, in 1932, and as a teenager 
immigrated to the United States. He recognized early on that in America 
he would have the opportunity to accomplish his dreams. He enlisted in 
the Air Force and earned his citizenship after serving with 
distinction.
  Several years ago I received a call from my friend Eddie to invite me 
to Christmas in the Barrio, where he would help give toys to needy 
children. Seeing those little faces glow because they would have a 
little bit of Christmas even though their families were struggling is a 
memory that I keep very fondly. Eddie's actions that day crystallized 
who he was in this community, and it reinforced my commitment to public 
service.
  Eddie spread democracy through his incisive columns published in his 
newspaper, which often became the voice of the Latino community in Las 
Vegas. His columns also inspired his 175,000 weekly readers to become 
active in the community and to exercise their right to vote.
  Eddie Escobedo's dedication to Nevada changed the community that he 
loved and fought for. He will be missed. His legacy and big heart will 
live on through his publication--El Mundo Newspaper--as it continues to 
play a vital role in the lives of Hispanics throughout Nevada by 
conveying the challenges and experiences Latino families face on a 
daily basis.

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