[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E728-E729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALFONSO ``AL'' RODRIGUEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. YASSAMIN ANSARI

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2026

  Ms. ANSARI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life 
and legacy of Alfonso ``Al'' Rodriguez, a beloved mentor, community 
leader, and pillar of Arizona's boxing community. After more than six 
decades of dedicated service to young people and boxers across the 
Valley, Rodriguez passed away on July 6, 2026. While his passing marks 
the end of an extraordinary life, his legacy will endure through the 
countless lives he impacted and through the continued work of the 
Rodriguez Boxing Club.
  Al and his wife, Carmen Rodriguez, moved from Texas to Arizona, where 
they raised five children: Al Rodriguez, Jr., Carolina Olmos, Ofelia 
Hooper, Fernando Rodriguez, and Seferino ``Sefe'' Rodriguez. As a 
third-generation boxer, Al founded the Rodriguez Boxing Club in the 
backyard of his Mesa home in 1961, where he began coaching his children 
while instilling in them the notion that everyone is a ``diamond in the 
rough''. To Al, every individual possessed the potential to become a 
champion, both inside and outside the ring.
  That belief became the foundation of the Rodriguez Boxing Club, a gym 
in the heart of downtown Phoenix and a refuge for generations of young 
people. For decades, the gym has provided a safe, welcoming environment 
where youth can develop discipline, confidence, and resilience. 
Operating as a non-profit organization, the Rodriguez Boxing Club has 
remained committed to ensuring that it is accessible to all members of 
the community.
  Today, Al's children continue to carry forward his mission with the 
same compassion, dedication, and commitment to service that defined 
their father's life. Through their leadership, the Rodriguez Boxing 
Club remains a testament to Al's enduring belief in the transformative 
power of mentorship, opportunity, and community.
  It is my privilege to recognize the remarkable life of Alfonso ``Al'' 
Rodriguez and to honor his more than six decades of service to 
Arizona's 3rd Congressional District.

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