[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 116 (Thursday, July 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E898-E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE 85TH BIRTHDAY OF MR. PAUL ROJAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2019

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to celebrate the 
85th birthday of the Honorable Paul Rojas and to recognize his numerous 
contributions to Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. Mr. Rojas' 
life has been dedicated to the betterment of those around him and it is 
an honor to have the opportunity to recognize his service.
  Paul Rojas was born in 1935 in the Westside Neighborhood of Kansas 
City, Missouri. Mr. Rojas is the youngest of six boys and a son of 
immigrant parents. Growing up, he and his family frequented Guadalupe 
Centers and relied on their services after the death of his mother. 
Their kindness and generosity showed Mr. Rojas the effect that a 
community organization such as Guadalupe Centers can have on a person's 
life. Community organizations provide not only tangible assistance, but 
they also teach the importance of helping one's neighbor.
  After attending Guadalupe Grade School, he attended De La Salle High 
School. He worked in the fields, as a busboy, on the railroads, in

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packing houses, and as a machinist for Wishbone and Honeywell. Each of 
these positions offered a unique point of view on the needs of the 
worker. This gave Mr. Rojas a clear view of the blue-collar community 
in Kansas City and the ways in which the lives of workers needed to be 
improved. From these experiences, a desire to serve and improve the 
lives of others was sparked within him.
  As a U.S. Navy veteran serving in the Korean War from 1952 to 1955, 
Paul Rojas joined the ranks of great men and women who defended the 
United States on the frontlines. Mr. Rojas continues to exhibit the 
commitment he showed in his service to the United States with his 
membership in the Korean Veterans Association, Veterans of Underage 
Military Service, and the American Legion. Within these organizations, 
he advocates for those who have served, are currently serving, and who 
wish to serve their country in the future.
  After serving in the Korean War, civic engagement remained a pillar 
of Mr. Rojas' life. He served on various boards and commissions at the 
city and county level before pushing to become the first Hispanic 
elected to the Missouri General Assembly. As a State Representative, 
Paul Rojas initiated national meetings of Hispanic elected officials, 
leading to the establishment of the National Association of Latino 
Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Mr. Rojas also helped found 
the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC in order to help 
hundreds of Hispanic and minority owned businesses network and gain 
access to resources.
  After his service as a Missouri State Representative, Paul Rojas 
continued his devotion to service. He is now chairmen of Guadalupe 
Centers Inc., the organization that supported his family in their time 
of need. Guadalupe Centers provide training programs, education, after 
school activities, and family support programs. Mr. Rojas also 
advocates for the welfare of seniors as a member of the Kansas City 
Silver Haired Council. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, 
an organization dedicated to charity. Recently, through Guadalupe 
Centers Inc., Rojas championed the decision to repurpose a building and 
create a youth recreation center that provides students with a safe 
location for extracurricular activities and opportunities to keep them 
out of trouble.
  Throughout his life's work, Paul Rojas has served as a model of 
leadership and selflessness. His service in the U.S. Navy, his position 
as a Missouri State Representative, his chairing of the oldest Latino 
serving non-profit, Guadalupe Centers Inc., and his other leadership 
positions demonstrate his commitment to his community and his country. 
Mr. Rojas has made a unique contribution to each of these 
organizations, representing the reality of many underrepresented 
communities. His counsel empowers organizations to better make 
decisions about how to benefit those they serve. He continues to create 
a community that is well equipped to handle the issues it faces.
  It is a privilege to stand today and recognize the contributions and 
devotion of Mr. Paul Rojas. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring 
Mr. Rojas' remarkable service to the people of the Greater Kansas City 
area and beyond.

                          ____________________