[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 24, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF RAUL MONTES, SR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Garcia) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor a family man, a 
caring neighbor, and a selfless public servant, my dear friend Raul 
Montes, Sr.
  Raul was the ward superintendent for the 22nd Ward in the city of 
Chicago, a community known as Little Village. Raul and I share a common 
background. We both came to this country at a young age, settled in the 
Chicago neighborhood of Little Village, and started organizing for the 
improvement of our neighborhood and for the greater political 
representation of Chicago's Latino community.
  Raul created a block club in our neighborhood that worked to improve 
and beautify homes, backyards, and streets. They installed lamps in 
their front lawns, planted sod in the parkways, and established block 
watches and activities for children and teens.
  This deep involvement in community life is why I appointed Raul as a 
Democratic precinct captain of the sixth precinct when I was a member 
of Chicago City Council. He was the most effective and beloved precinct 
captain in Chicago's 22nd Ward. His hard work helped me and many others 
win elected office.
  As ward superintendent in the Department of Streets and Sanitation, 
he was frequently seen driving down streets and alleys, conversing with 
neighbors, and paying personal attention to their service requests. 
Even after he retired, he would ride around the neighborhood, asking 
people if they needed anything to be fixed in their homes or streets.
  Raul organized the best block parties and loved to sing and dance 
with his wife, Maria. They enjoyed traveling, spending time with their 
grandchildren, and, of course, having big parties. He also enjoyed 
helping out at the corner grocery store or restaurant to stay busy and 
catch up on what was going on in the neighborhood after he retired.
  Last month, Raul died of COVID-19, leaving a huge void in his family, 
his neighborhood, and the entire southwest side of Chicago. Today, we 
recognize his labor in the House of Representatives.
  (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:)
  A few words in Spanish. Today in the United States Congress we 
recognize the friendship, work, and efforts of a great public servant. 
Raul Montes was a great superintendent of the 22nd District and Little 
Village community. We celebrate his life, all his efforts, and we'd 
like to express to Raul's family that his life was well lived, and for 
that reason, we give him this recognition.
  Unas palabras en espanol. Hoy en el Congreso de los Estados Unidos 
reconocemos la amistad, las labores, los esfuerzos de un gran servidor 
publico. Raul Montes fue un gran superintendente de nuestra comunidad 
en La Villita y el Distrito 22. Celebramos su vida, todos sus esfuerzos 
y le comunicamos a su familia que la vida de Raul Montes fue bien 
vivida, y por eso le hacemos ese reconocimiento.
  Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Raul Montes, rest in power, my friend.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Illinois will provide the 
Clerk a translation of his remarks.

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