[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 207 (Wednesday, December 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1295-E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS INSTITUTE HONORS DAN MALDONADO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 1, 2021

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, in every generation, there are people 
whose names may not make the paper every day, but whose actions and 
legacy make an immeasurable impact felt by the entire community. Dan 
Maldonado is one of those people. In honoring him, the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus Institute is recognizing his lifelong dedication to 
public service and his trailblazing record, and ensuring that his 
contributions are remembered for generations to come.
  If there's one word that can describe Dan, ``vision'' comes to mind. 
He was one of the first--if not the first--Latino Chiefs of Staff in 
the U.S. House of Representatives. He also helped create the 
Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the National Association of 
Latino Elected Officials (NALEO). These groups have grown from their 
humble roots to become leaders in amplifying the organized voices of 
Latino public officials and cementing the Latino community's place in 
the public sphere. In large part, we have Dan to thank for that.
  Dan's service didn't end with Capitol Hill. He also worked in the 
Carter Administration as the Director of Legislation for ACTION/Peace 
Corps, helping to promote America's image abroad and cultivate our 
country's next generation of leaders.
  There is one story in particular that highlights the kind of person 
Dan is. In 1982, he served as the Chief of Staff for Latino Congressman 
Edward Roybal from Los Angeles.

[[Page E1296]]

That term, the AIDS epidemic began taking hold in Southern California. 
While many were fearful and even dismissive, Congressman Roybal knew 
that a public health response was required. Working with Dan, he 
offered an amendment to procure Congressional funding for AIDS research 
at the National Institute of Health. Through controversy and criticism, 
Dan stood behind Congressman Roybal's amendment, which passed and 
proved critical to addressing the disease.
  Proposing and standing behind the amendment was neither the obvious 
nor the popular thing to do. It was just the right thing to do, and Dan 
did it. That's the kind of person and leader he is. Our country is a 
better place because of his contributions.
  I Congratulate Dan on this wonderful and well-deserved honor.

                          ____________________