[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 97 (Friday, June 4, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF LEOPOLDO TREVINO-GUERRA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RAUL RUIZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 4, 2021

  Mr. RUIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Leopoldo 
Trevino-Guerra, who passed away on March 25, 2021. As a champion of 
farmworkers and the Latino community, Leopoldo devoted his life to 
giving voice to the voiceless and fighting for what is right. His story 
is an inspiration to us all, and his impact will undoubtedly be felt 
for generations to come.
  Leopoldo's advocacy first began when his family settled in the 
Coachella Valley in the 1970s. There, he became a member of the United 
Farm Workers (UFW) and helped negotiate the first collective employment 
contract with the lemon agribusiness. As the chief representative of 
UFW in this landmark negotiation, Leopoldo was instrumental in securing 
workers' rights, including eight-hour workdays, rest periods, and 
higher wages.
  His tireless will and unmatched strength have made the Coachella 
Valley a better place for everyone who lives there. As a principal 
founder of the Housing Rent Control Movement, he secured better 
conditions for farmworker housing--improving the quality of life for 
hundreds of families in our communities.
  Leopoldo was a true trailblazer. In 1988, he co-founded the first 
entirely Spanish-language newspaper in the Coachella Valley, El 
Informador del Valle. To this day, El Informador del Valle delivers 
news to the Latino community in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys. 
Leopoldo's unrelenting pursuit of justice led him to establish his 
second Spanish-language newspaper seven years later. El Independiente 
actively covered social justice work in the Latino community until 
2008. With his excellent leadership and vision at both newspapers, 
Leopoldo successfully uplifted Latino voices throughout the region.
  Leopoldo faced numerous hardships in his life, but he overcame the 
obstacles that stood in his way to create a better future for his 
family. His 19 children, 44 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren 
are a testament to his outstanding legacy. Leopoldo's story is an 
example of the excellence, dedication, and service to our Nation that 
all should seek to emulate.

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