[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 121 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JESSE CHARLES ROMERO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 2022

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of Jesse 
Charles Romero who passed away on July 6, 2022. Mr. Romero dedicated 
his life to advancing minority rights and equal justice under the law. 
He is survived by his wife, Anna Alicia Romero, and sons Emiliano 
Sandino, Antonio Cesar, and Victor Aetius Emmanuel.
  Jesse Charles Romero was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on November 4, 
1960, to Juan Leos Romero and Amelia Ramirez Romero. Mr. Romero was a 
first-generation college student, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree 
from Southwest Texas State University. During his early career with the 
Texas State Legislature, he worked to address systemic inequalities 
facing minority groups, particularly among Hispanic and Latinos. 
Throughout his life, he held an enduring belief that inequality and 
injustice can be resolved through legislative solutions and hard work.
  Later, as a grassroots organizer, Mr. Romero worked at the Southwest 
Voter Registration Education Project, where he grew under the 
mentorship of voting rights activists including Willie Velasquez, 
Antonio Gonzalez, and Andy Hernandez. As his career progressed, he 
served as Director of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and a 
Policy Analyst for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational 
Fund (MALDEF), where he championed equitable public school funding, 
college access, and healthcare for all. Some of his most rewarding work 
was in bilingual and dual language advocacy. Mr. Romero employed the 
motto, ``educate, collaborate and advocate'' and fought to improve 
education for non-English speakers.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the life and legacy of Jesse 
Charles Romero. I thank Mr. Romero for his many years of public service 
and advocacy for a more equitable world. He will be missed, but the 
contributions he made to our community have left a lasting impact.

                          ____________________