[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9224]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING RUDY CASTRO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2017

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to honor the 
life of Rudy Castro--a Marine Corps veteran, devoted educator, civic 
leader, and lifelong baseball player and coach.
  Rudy was born and raised in Barrio Anita in Tucson, attended Davis 
Elementary, Roskruge Jr. High and graduated from Tucson High School in 
1949. Since his first days playing with friends in Oury Park, Rudy's 
talent for baseball was clear; even at a young age, Rudy could be found 
playing with kids five years older than him just to find a challenge, 
and was so talented that he started playing with the Tucson High School 
varsity baseball team in 7th grade.
  Rudy's remarkable athletic abilities were not just restricted to 
baseball--in high school, Rudy played football, baseball, and 
basketball, leading his teams to several championships all while 
serving on his school's student council and maintaining a high GPA. 
This earned him the attention of the baseball coach of Palo Verde 
Junior College who promptly offered him a baseball scholarship.
  Rudy initially turned down the offer so that he could find a job and 
help support his family. Fortunately, when his mother heard about the 
scholarship, she immediately packed Rudy's bags for him. After just two 
years of junior college, Rudy joined the Marine Corps during the Korean 
War and served in the infamous ``E Company'' for the next four years.
  In 1951, Rudy and 100 other young servicemen tried out for the Camp 
Pendleton Baseball team, and Rudy was one of just 20 to make the cut. 
After touring with his team across the country and winning All-Marine 
honors as an outstanding shortstop, Rudy went back to school to play 
baseball at the University of Arizona on another full-ride scholarship. 
After graduating, Rudy began his career as a teacher, teaching at 
Safford Junior High, Roskruge K-8, and finally became the baseball 
coach at Cholla High School.
  After returning to school for a dual master's degree, Rudy was named 
Director of the Extended Day School at Tucson High School, where he 
spent a decade encouraging students to keep working toward obtaining 
their diplomas. He was a devoted coach and teacher even outside of 
school, spending his summers and free time coaching baseball and 
volunteering as a referee and umpire for high school games. In 
addition, he is remembered by his former players and students as a 
person who was always willing to listen to their problems and offer 
them advice as they became older.
  A prominent member of the Tucson political community as well, Rudy 
served as a Tucson City Councilman for nine years, as well as serving 
on the Selective Service Board, Pima County Grievance Committee, and as 
the first chairman of the Pima County Sports Authority. In retirement, 
Rudy played baseball well into his 70's, earning him membership in the 
Senior League Baseball Hall of Fame and the Southern Pima County Sports 
Hall of Fame. As a political leader, education advocate, friend, and 
father, Rudy made a huge impact on many lives and on the Tucson 
community at large--his passion for life and love for the people around 
him will never be forgotten.
  He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Linda (Tom) Spencer and 
son Rudy; daughters, Julie and Celina; sister, Alice Rice; brother, 
Rick (Helen) Acedo and half-brother, Albert; grandchildren, KC McCall, 
and Holly and Thomas Bolen as well as many other loving relatives. Rudy 
Castro's life is part of the unique and special character of Tucson, 
just as Rudy was a unique and special character himself.

                          ____________________