[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 156 (Friday, September 10, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF OCTAVIO ``CHATO'' VILLALOBOS

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 10, 2021

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, it is with a deep sense of gratitude and 
admiration that I rise today to celebrate Kansas City Police Officer 
Octavio ``Chato'' Villalobos. The son of Mexican immigrants, Chato has 
made it his life's mission to serve and protect the people of Kansas 
City, Missouri while working tirelessly to ensure that communities of 
color are treated fairly and justly by our country's criminal justice 
system. In light of the protests that swept across our nation last 
summer, it is perhaps more important than ever before to recognize 
police officers like Chato, whose selfless service is rooted in love 
and compassion for the people he protects.
  Born in Torrance, California and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, 
Chato takes great pride in belonging to Kansas City's thriving Mexican-
American community. Known by others for his thoughtful nature, Chato 
has always understood that identifying as a Mexican-American police 
officer comes not only with immense pride, but with a profound sense of 
purpose and responsibility as well. Communities of color, including the 
Latino community, have faced racism, prejudice, and discrimination here 
in the United States for generations, and the injustices to which the 
Chicano community has been subjected are far too many to count. Chato 
knows this history well, but rather than letting it discourage him or 
dampen his spirits, he has used it as a constant source of motivation 
to make Kansas City a better place to call home, regardless of one's 
skin color or national origin.
  Treating others the way he wishes to be treated, Chato has made 
significant strides towards building trust between Kansas City's police 
department and the Latino community it serves. Having worn the blue 
uniform for many years now, Chato understands that simply offering 
dignity and respect to the faces he meets while on patrol goes a long 
way toward creating a safer city where all people are treated fairly 
under the law. While negative stories capture headlines and screen 
time, Chato has lent a helping hand to the people of Kansas City any 
time the opportunity has arisen ever since the first time he donned the 
badge, and his compassionate nature has made him beloved throughout the 
city.
  Beyond his work as a police officer, Chato has served as a mentor to 
boys on the path to manhood, instilling values into our young people 
that will ensure their success down the road. Chato has advocated 
passionately on behalf of DACA, and regularly volunteers with 
organizations aimed at uplifting the Latino community. A committed 
father, Chato makes sure to teach his children about their Mexican 
heritage by taking them to local Chicano and Latino art festivals and 
celebrations, believing firmly that appreciating one's genealogy helps 
build a sense of personal identity while giving us the strength to face 
the challenges of life. And in May of 2016, Chato's heartfelt poem 
``Brown Eyes in Blues'' was read aloud to an audience in Kansas City by 
Juan Felipe Herrera, our nation's first Latino Poet Laureate.
  Madam Speaker, the impact that Octavio ``Chato'' Villalobos has made 
on the Kansas City community is greater than any speech of mine can 
encapsulate. As we enter Hispanic Heritage Month, let us take time to 
recognize public servants like Chato who work every day to make sure 
the United States is living up to its founding principles of liberty 
and justice for all.

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