U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva in 2019 at a town hall with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in Tempe. Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
U.S. Congressman Raúl Grijalva has died at the age of 77, his office announced Thursday.
The Democrat, who represented Arizona’s 7th District, died March 13 from complications of cancer treatment. Grijalva announced his lung cancer diagnosis last April, and said he planned to pursue a vigorous course of treatment.
Grijalva, of Tucson, spent more than 50 years in public service representing the people of southern Arizona, including more than 20 years as a U.S. Congressman.
In a statement, the Pima County Democratic Party praised Grijalva’s dedication to education, the environment and civil rights.
“Providence demands us bid farewell to our friend, but Arizona’s appreciation for Raul Grijalva is undying — his work endures,” the Pima County Democratic Party wrote. “His spirit is on our landscapes, our communities, and in the hearts of all who believe in a more just and compassionate world.”
With a passion for his community as well as for the planet, Grijalva was the former chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a long-time member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous said in a statement that the organization was mourning Grijalva’s death while also celebrating his legacy with the hope that it will serve as an inspiration for future conservation leaders.
“He combined passion, advocacy, and leadership that resulted in preserving some of this country’s most treasured landscapes for generations to come,” Jealous said. “His work with Tribal Nations incorporated the voice of those who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial into public lands management policy.”
One of the congressman’s major accomplishments was his part in the drafting of the Environmental Justice for All Act, which aimed to empower people to stand up for their communities.
“His strong belief was that no matter where you’re from, one truth unites us all: Everyone deserves the freedom to live a healthy life, and every child deserves a safe and fair chance at their future,” his office wrote.
Grijalva’s other successes in Congress included his work to protect the Grand Canyon for future generations, to fight climate change and to fund conservation programs.
Grijalva advocated for student loan forgiveness, protections for farm workers and other laborers exposed to heat and expansion of early childhood education.
“Some of these victories seemed out of reach when he first came to Congress, but with support from community, colleagues, allies, and staff, he helped make them real,” his office wrote.
Grijalva began his political career in 1974 when he was elected to the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board, where he served until 1986. He was elected to the Pima County Board of Supervisors in 1988 and held a seat on the board until he was elected to Congress in 2002.
Grijalva leaves behind his wife Ramona; daughters Adelita, Marisa and Raquel; and five grandchildren.
Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton said in a statement that Grijalva will be “rightly remembered as one of the most consequential leaders in Arizona political history.”
“Raúl never lost sight of the values he learned as a young community organizer, tirelessly advocating for immigrant families, education, and social justice,” Stanton said. “But perhaps his biggest accomplishment is his mentorship of a generation of young people in Southern Arizona.”
While Grijalva’s colleagues said in the statement that they were heartbroken by the news of his death, they said they are “determined to carry on his legacy.”
“From Tucson to Nogales and beyond, he worked tirelessly for transformational improvements,” Grijalva’s office wrote in the statement. “Rep. Grijalva pushed for new public parks, childcare centers, health care clinics, local businesses, and affordable housing have breathed new life into neighborhoods across Southern Arizona.”
In a statement, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego described Grijalva as not only a colleague but a friend.
“As another Latino working in public service, I can say from experience that he served as a role model to many young people across the Grand Canyon State,” Gallego wrote. “He spent his life as a voice for equality…I am praying for his family during this time of grief, and I hope that they find comfort knowing his legacy is one that will stand tall for generations.”
Grijalva’s seat in Congress, in an overwhelmingly blue district, will be filled via a special election. Gov. Katie Hobbs is tasked with setting a special primary election for a date within the next 90 days and a special general election within the following 60 days.
In its statement Grijalva’s office said it will continue to offer constituent services in the meantime.
“To his last day, he remained a servant leader who put everyday people first while in office,” Hobbs said in a statement. “I join every Arizonan in mourning his passing. May he rest in peace.”
This story was originally produced by the Arizona Mirror which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.