[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF LEO GALLEGOS JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 15, 2016

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Leo 
Gallegos Jr., who passed away on October 30, 2016 at age 75. Leo was a 
loving husband, father, grandparent, and friend, who dedicated his life 
to serving others. He was an American patriot and a humble man who was 
an inspiration to many. He was a leader in our minority communities, 
and was a political activist who made an instrumental impact on 
California's Democratic Party, especially in the Central Valley.
  Born on August 5, 1941, in Caldwell, Idaho, Leo was the oldest of 10 
children. He was the son of immigrant farmworkers who followed 
agricultural opportunities to Hanford, California. After graduating 
high school, Leo enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the 
101st Airborne Division until the 1960's. After serving in Korea and 
retiring from the Armed Forces, he attended Fresno State, receiving a 
Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Social Work.
  His passion for politics and drive to help bring change for minority 
communities first emerged while he was at Fresno State. Through the 
late 1960's, he helped start Latino and American-Indian student 
organizations on campus. In 1975, Leo became Governor Jerry Brown's 
right hand man in the San Joaquin Valley during Brown's first eight 
years serving in Sacramento. While working in the governor's office, 
Leo worked tirelessly behind the scenes, advocating for minorities 
during a time when they were commonly overlooked for public office 
positions. Leo was interconnected with almost every ethnic group, 
pushing for a shift in politics that would embrace minorities. He never 
considered running for an office himself. Instead Leo preferred to work 
behind the scenes, not wanting to be in the spotlight. He wanted to do 
his job to empower others, the best he could.
  In the late 1970's, Leo became very politically active in Central 
California's Democratic circles. He worked diligently to broaden the 
traditional selection process for judges, state and national positions. 
He became a political consultant and influential fundraiser who helped 
minority appointees for judgeships and office positions. In 1983, Leo 
was appointed by former Congressman Tony Coelho as the national 
Hispanic coordinator for the Democratic Congressional Campaign 
Committee.
  Leo is survived by his mother, Esther Gallegos, and his wife Olivia, 
along with their daughter and son, Stephanie and Sean. He also leaves 
behind six brothers, two sisters, and four grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
life and service of Leo Gallegos Jr., whose passion, dedication, and 
selflessness behind the scenes made an instrumental impact on reshaping 
local politics. His life is a testament to the success minorities and 
immigrants can achieve, and his humbleness and great character is 
something to be remembered. I join Leo's family in honoring his life, 
his love for his community, tenacity, passion for making a difference, 
and service to his country. He will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________