[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 24, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING LUCIANO VARELA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2017

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor the life of Luciano ``Lucky'' Varela, a hard-working New 
Mexican who fought for New Mexico families in the state Legislature. 
Luciano represented Santa Fe in the New Mexico House of Representatives 
from 1987 to 2016.
  Rep. Varela was known for his expertise in government finance and his 
unwavering support for the employees who deliver services to New 
Mexicans. He always treated constituents with the utmost dignity and 
worked for New Mexico families.
  Prior to serving in the New Mexico House of Representatives, he was 
the Director of the State Personnel Office, Chairman of the Board of 
the Public Employee's Retirement Association, and served on the House 
Appropriations Committee, in addition to the Legislative Finance 
Committee.
  Rep. Varela was an advocate for fair wages and policies to support 
low-income families in New Mexico. In 1998, he sponsored legislation to 
expand the low-income comprehensive tax rebate.
  Years later, in 2007, he sponsored a bill for public employee salary 
increases, which would increase the salaries of public employees 
including police officers, teachers, and higher education employees.
  I will always remember Lucky as someone who was tough and 
transparent, but always fair. New Mexicans know that he worked hard to 
provide support for working families. He devoted his career to public 
service, for which, we are all grateful.

                          ____________________