[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 124 (Monday, July 21, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING ARTURO VARGAS ON 30 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SYLVIA R. GARCIA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 21, 2025

  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate my 
longtime friend, Arturo Vargas, as he marks 30 years of extraordinary 
leadership with the National Association of Latino Elected and 
Appointed Officials (NALEO) and the NALEO Educational Fund.
  As a former President of NALEO, I know the kind of dedication it 
takes to build lasting impact. And for three decades, Arturo has done 
just that. He has helped shape the civic landscape for Latinos in this 
country--not by chasing headlines, but by doing the work. The hard, 
necessary, behind-the-scenes work of building power, lifting up 
leaders, and making sure our voices are counted.
  Under Arturo's leadership, NALEO has become a powerhouse for civic 
engagement training elected officials, defending voting rights, 
championing fair representation, and connecting communities to the 
ballot box. He's helped demystify the process of government and made 
sure it actually works for the people.
  Arturo knew that in order to elect Latino leaders, he had to become 
an expert in the systems built against them. He went to Stanford, 
mastered the ins and outs of redistricting and demographics, and became 
one of the foremost experts on Latino civic participation. That 
expertise has helped guide countless policymakers, including many of us 
in this chamber. If you're a Latino in government, odds are Arturo 
Vargas has touched your journey.
  Even before NALEO, Arturo was doing the work at the Mexican America 
Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), at the National Council of 
La Raza, and everywhere justice and opportunity were on the line. 
Arturo's legacy isn't written in stone--it's ongoing, growing, and 
living in the generations of leaders he's helped raise. He's not done 
yet, and thank goodness for that.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Arturo 
Vargas for his years of service, his deep commitment to our democracy, 
and his unwavering belief in what's possible when every voice is heard 
and every opportunity is seen.

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