[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 2, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5243-S5244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO PAUL SANDOVAL

 Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, on behalf of all Coloradans, I want 
to recognize the extraordinary character and lifetime achievements of 
Colorado native Paul Sandoval. His far-reaching accomplishments--from 
civil rights to community organizing to business and to his passion, 
education--show an unwavering commitment to making Colorado a better 
place, and reflect, in noblest form, the enterprising spirit of the 
West.
  I am sad to tell my colleagues that Paul has contracted locally 
advanced pancreatic cancer, and the Sandoval family is going through a 
difficult time now. And as he struggles to beat this terrible disease--
and we need him to prevail--I cannot help but be reminded of all he has 
achieved in life, and all the social change he has helped bring about. 
To honor Paul and his many contributions, I would like to share a few 
moments from his life.
  Paul and his wife Paula have for decades run a tamale shop in 
Denver--La Casita--that has served as the city's unofficial epicenter 
of political activity. According to Wellington Webb, the former Denver 
mayor whom Sandoval first met while the two worked delivering 
groceries, Paul could always be found ``holding court'' at his 
restaurant with firemen and city officials.
  ``I'm just a lowly tamale maker,'' Sandoval has grown accustomed to 
saying. But his life suggests there is

[[Page S5244]]

nothing ordinary about this accomplished man. A fixture in his 
community, Paul would make a name for himself by lifting up those 
around him. He cultivated enduring relationships in his community that 
propelled several generations of Colorado public servants. In short, 
Paul Sandoval has woven himself inextricably into Colorado's political 
fabric, and all Coloradans are the better for it.
  Born in 1944 as 1 of 11 children to Jerry and Camilla Sandoval, Paul 
came from modest beginnings. Before he could even read newspaper 
headlines, Paul was selling copies of the Denver Post to help pay for 
his schooling at Annunciation Grade School in northeast Denver. From an 
early age, Paul thrived on the energy of those around him. By the time 
the young Sandoval finished middle school, he had helped his father win 
the presidency of the local meatpackers union and regularly canvassed 
for local candidates for office.
  Paul graduated from high school in 1962, earning a scholarship to 
Louisiana State University. His education put him in close proximity to 
a fierce civil rights debate unfolding in neighboring Mississippi, 
where James Meredith sought to become the first African American to 
enroll at Ole Miss. Paul took up the cause and organized his fellow 
students for a bus trip. He participated firsthand in the 
demonstrations, receiving blows from the Oxford, MS, riot police.
  Upon returning to Denver, Paul applied all he learned about the 
importance of equal opportunity in education to Colorado public life as 
well. He cofounded the Chicano Education Project, which focused on 
implementing bilingual curricula in schools and promoting civic 
engagement. During one trip to the San Luis Valley in southern 
Colorado, Paul met a young attorney named Ken Salazar who shared his 
passion for education. The two would become close allies for life.
  Paul assumed his first official public role in 1974 when he 
successfully ran for a Colorado State Senate seat. He won the seat 
again in 1978. While serving in office, Paul became a leader in the 
educational community by personally sponsoring several Chicano doctoral 
students finishing their degrees. Rather than seeking a third term in 
the Senate, Paul pursued and won an at-large seat on the Denver school 
board in 1983, in which he would serve in a distinguished manner for 5 
years.
  After nearly 15 years serving in public office, Paul joined his wife 
and began serving Coloradans in a different equally satisfying way--at 
their tamale shop. And you can talk to anyone who has eaten there--you 
haven't lived until you've tried one of Paul and Paula's tamales with 
green chile. While I am in Washington during the week, one of the many 
reasons I look forward to getting back home to Denver is so that I can 
enjoy a meal courtesy of Paul.
  A jack-of-all-trades if not master-of-all-trades, Paul has also 
remained a fixture in Colorado public life as a successful small 
business owner. He has provided invaluable advice to aspiring public 
servants. I cannot tell you how often I encounter people in my state 
who tell me how they have benefited from Paul's counsel and contagious 
enthusiasm. I can tell you that he helped me find my way as 
superintendent of Denver Public Schools. I have been truly privileged 
to know him, and I know I rank among many who are rooting for Paul and 
who stand by in support of his family.
  Colorado is profoundly grateful for Paul Sandoval's public service. 
His efforts to advance the prospects of young Latino students and 
students of all backgrounds represent an enormous step forward in 
creating the next generation of selfless Coloradans who have been 
affected by Paul's unconquerable spirit. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in honoring Paul, his wife Paula, Kendra, Chris, Andrea and Amanda, his 
children, and his entire family.

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