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“TRIBUTE TO RAUL H. CASTRO” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1381 on June 11, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO RAUL H. CASTRO
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HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Raul H. Castro, Arizona's first Hispanic Governor, who has devoted his life to ensuring democracy for all.
To review the lifelong commitments of Governor Castro is to describe the epitome of the American Dream.
Born in Mexico, he immigrated to a community near Douglas, AZ in his teenage years. The son of a copper miner and a midwife, he overcame great poverty and adversity as a young adult. He was always committed to his family and the need to do something great with his life. In high school he was a stellar athlete and student, which taught him discipline and earned him an athletic scholarship for college. In college, he was an undefeated boxer, winning mostly by knockout and earning the name the ``Douglas Destroyer.''
Governor Castro worked diligently through school, completing his first degree in higher education in 1939, the same year he became a United States citizen. He worked for the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service officer in Agua Prieta, Sonora for a period of time, then applied and was accepted at the University of Arizona, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.
He then practiced law in Tucson, AZ, became deputy Pima County Attorney and was elected Pima County Superior Court Judge. In his six years on the Superior Court bench, he gained a reputation of being fair and grew further respected in the community for his work and commitment to justice.
It wouldn't take long for the country to notice the young judge from Pima County. President Lyndon Johnson appointed Raul as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador in 1964, where he served until 1968. He then served as Ambassador to Bolivia from 1968-1969, and returned to Tucson to specialize in international law.
His work abroad became a benefit for the state of Arizona. He continued his commitment to his country by becoming active in Arizona Democratic Party politics, and ultimately won a spirited campaign for the governorship in 1974, becoming Arizona's first Hispanic governor.
Governor Castro wouldn't complete his term, President Jimmy Carter selected him to represent the United States again and serve as Ambassador to Argentina, where he served until 1980.
Governor Castro returned to Arizona and devoted more than two decades to practicing law. He has recently retired to Nogales, AZ where he remains involved in the community.
Governor Castro's story is one of inspiration for young and old alike. He has shown all aspects of the American Dream, to work hard, care about your community and success will follow. Arizona and this nation have been blessed by his commitment to democracy and justice.
Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Governor Castro and thank him for being a role model for so many of us.
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