[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2202-H2203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALCARIO ``AL'' CASTELLANO

  (Mr. Liccardo of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. LICCARDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise along with my colleague, 
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren--and I know Congressman Ro Khanna also would 
like to be represented--to recognize the life and contributions of U.S. 
Army veteran and community leader Alcario ``Al'' Castellano for his 
dedication to advancing education, arts, and leadership in San Jose and 
the greater Silicon Valley of California. He is not simply a tremendous 
model of generosity but, more importantly, of purpose.
  Al Castellano won the lottery. No, I am not just talking about his 
unique fortune of building a beautiful family with his wife, Carmen, or 
his three beloved children, Armando Castellano, Maria West, and Carmela 
Castellano-Garcia. In 2001, Al and his wife, Carmen, won a $141 million 
California Lottery jackpot.
  More importantly, the Castellanos were already pillars within the 
community, known for volunteering on committees and boards for local 
schools and civic organizations like San Jose GI Forum and contributing 
to arts and cultural organizations like Movimiento de Arte y Cultura 
Latino Americana and the School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage 
Plaza.

  It came as no surprise when the family turned their moment of good 
fortune into a lifetime of impact. It is often noted that their 
generosity and values didn't change after the win, only the size of 
their checks did.
  With their winnings, Al and Carmen created the Castellano Family 
Foundation to uplift San Jose's Latino community. Through the years, 
the foundation awarded millions of dollars in grants and scholarships 
to over 150 Silicon Valley nonprofits. Together, the Castellano Family 
Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation created 
LatinXCEL Fund, a $10 million effort to support Latino leaders and 
groups in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
  Al and Carmen were married for 57 years before she passed away just a 
few years ago in 2020. In the years after her passing, the Castellano 
children were the driving force behind the foundation until its 
operations concluded in 2023. The impact of their monetary 
contributions is exceeded only by the change they cultivated on behalf 
of the Latino community by pushing for cultural preservation and more 
diverse representation in nonprofit leadership.
  On April 26, Al Castellano passed away in his Saratoga home 
surrounded by loved ones. His most important role, of course, was that 
of a loving husband, father, and grandfather to his family.
  It wasn't just Al who won the jackpot. We were the ones who hit the 
jackpot by having him as a wonderful friend and neighbor.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Lofgren).
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Liccardo for yielding.
  I first met Al and Carmen in the late 1970s. When I was elected to 
the community college board, Carmen was the secretary for the president 
of City College, and Al was a hardworking guy. What really stood out 
was the two of them constantly volunteering their time for the 
community through the GI Forum and the scholarship programs.
  I am not a fan of the California Lottery, but it was great to see 
them win because what they did with their newfound wealth was in 
keeping with their

[[Page H2203]]

commitment to the community. They made sure that their windfall was 
distributed to nonprofits and to the community. They lifted everyone 
up.
  Al and Carmen won the lottery in many ways. They created a wonderful 
family. Their children, now adults, have the same commitment to public 
service that they had.
  We will miss Al, just as we miss Carmen. I am so grateful to my 
colleague, Mr. Liccardo, for organizing this tribute here on the floor 
today.
  Al and Carmen left a tremendous mark for good in our community. I 
will miss Al tremendously.

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