[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S1867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING RAUL GRIJALVA

  Mr. KELLY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of my colleague and friend Representative Raul Grijalva. A devoted 
fighter for justice and working families, Raul spent more than 50 years 
in public service, representing southern Arizona in Congress for more 
than two decades and serving as the chairman of the House Natural 
Resources Committee. His passing is a tremendous loss for Arizona and 
the country.
  Raul was a man of compassion and conviction, driven by his belief in 
doing the right thing. He spent his life fighting for the people of 
southern Arizona, and his leadership was rooted in a deep understanding 
of the challenges facing his constituents. As the son of immigrants, he 
knew firsthand what it meant to fight for better healthcare, labor 
protections, education, and economic opportunity for everyone. He was a 
champion to those who have been left out of the conversation, and he 
leaves a legacy of making sure everyone had a voice in the Halls of 
Congress.
  Raul was a mentor to my wife Gabby Giffords, when she was first 
elected to Congress. Raul and Gabby represented neighboring districts 
and were shaped by their upbringing in southern Arizona, a place that 
was special to both of them. As Gabby said after Raul passed, he could 
and did talk to anyone, with empathy and genuine interest in the people 
he served.
  Raul's leadership on the House Natural Resources Committee was 
instrumental in advancing landmark legislation to combat climate 
change, preserve public lands, and safeguard water resources critical 
to Arizona and the Southwest. He led the charge to protect the Grand 
Canyon for future generations. His commitment to conservation, climate 
action, and Tribal sovereignty is a testament to his love for the State 
he called home.
  Raul's story is an American story--one of perseverance, service, and 
an unshakable belief in the promise of this country. Arizona is better, 
our Nation is better because of his service.
  My thoughts are with Raul's wife Ramona; their three daughters 
Adelita, Raquel, and Marisa; his grandchildren Adelina, Raul and 
Joaquon Grijalva-Gomez, and Floyd IV and Belan Thompson; and his entire 
family, his team, and everyone who looked up to him. We honor 
Representative Raul Grijalva's lifetime of service, and we celebrate 
his enduring impact.

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