[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 185 (Thursday, December 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6997-S6998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN TONY CARDENAS

  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Congressman 
Tony Cardenas as he prepares to retire after 12 distinguished years of 
service in the U.S. House of Representatives and 28 years in public 
service. My fellow San Fernando High School Tiger, my first boss in 
politics, and more recently my roommate in Washington, Tony has always 
been a cherished friend and brother. A champion for the San Fernando 
Valley for nearly three decades, Tony's story and legacy deserve to be 
celebrated and remembered.

[[Page S6998]]

  Raised just a few blocks from where I grew up in the proud, working 
class community of Pacoima, CA, Antonio ``Tony'' Cardenas was born on 
March 31, 1963--the youngest of Andres and Maria Cardenas' 11 children. 
And while Tony was a few years ahead of me, our stories followed 
similar paths.
  Tony's parents and my father immigrated to the San Fernando Valley 
from the Mexican state of Jalisco in search of a better life. We both 
attended Telfair Elementary School and, later, San Fernando High 
School. And when it came time for college, we both earned degrees in 
engineering.
  Yet it is in part because of Tony that I left a promising career in 
engineering behind in order to serve our community. When Tony first set 
out to make a difference and run for State assembly in 1996, he took a 
chance on me as his campaign manager. I didn't know the first thing 
about managing a campaign. But when Tony reached out, I knew his 
values. I knew who he was as a person. And I knew just how committed he 
was to our community and to making change.
  All these years later, that has never changed. From his first 
election to the California State Assembly, to serving together on the 
Los Angeles City Council, to the halls of Congress, I have had a front 
row seat to Tony's career in public service. I have seen him fight for 
justice for at-risk youth, lead the charge in our Nation's clean energy 
transition, and advocate for better access to mental health care. 
Through it all, Tony has never shied away from a righteous fight.
  But most of all, when I reflect on his public service I think about 
the path he has carved out for others to follow. Tony stepped up at a 
time when Latinos didn't often see ourselves in positions of power. And 
through the power of his example, he has opened the door for others, 
including myself, to run for office. Entire generations of young, 
Latino leaders now see running for office and having a say in the 
decisions that affect our communities as the norm, not the exception. 
That is the trailblazing legacy of Tony Cardenas.
  I thank his wife Norma, his children Vanessa, Cristian, Andres, and 
Alina, and the entire Cardenas family for sharing him with us for all 
these years.
  And while next month, Tony will officially step away from his work in 
the U.S. House of Representatives, I am confident his service is not 
coming to an end. I look forward to continuing to fight alongside him 
for years to come.

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