Congresswoman Grijalva Joins Arizona State Legislature, City of Avondale in Honoring Legacy of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva
Avondale, AZ — Today, U.S. Representative Adelita S. Grijalva joined Mayor Mike Pineda, members of the Avondale City Council, and community leaders for a park bench dedication honoring the life, service, and lasting legacy of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva, whose leadership helped deliver critical federal investments for Avondale. Earlier in the day, Congressman Grijalva’s legacy was also formally recognized by the Arizona State Legislature, which adopted a resolution – led by Senator Rosanna Gabaldón in the Senate and Representative Betty Villegas in the House – honoring his decades of public service and his commitment to strengthening Arizona communities through thoughtful, people-centered investment.
Rep. Grijalva on the House Floor with Members of the Arizona State Legislature
You can watch the resolution be read on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives here.
“I’m deeply grateful to Mayor Pineda, the Avondale City Council, Senator Gabaldón, Representative Villegas, and the Arizona State Legislature for recognizing my dad’s career of service to Southern Arizona,” said Congresswoman Grijalva. “This bench sits between safer streets and a public library because he believed federal dollars should show up in real, tangible ways for communities like Avondale. As a Member of Congress myself, I carry forward the values my dad lived by every day – partnership, service, and accountability to the people we represent.”
The bench in Avondale is located at Senas Plaza between federally funded street improvements in Old Town Avondale and the Sam Garcia Library – both made possible in part through federal investments championed by Congressman Grijalva. The street improvements were supported by more than $1.5 million in federal funding secured by Congressman Grijalva through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant in FY23, helping to reconstruct Western Avenue, improve storm drainage, enhance lighting, and support local businesses and services in Avondale’s historic Old Town. The Sam Garcia Library was built and renovated in part using Community Development Block Grant funds that Congressman Grijalva consistently fought to protect and expand.
Rep. Grijalva and Family with the Avondale Mayor and City Council
Rep. Grijalva with family members
The following elected officials offered remarks during today’s events:
State Senator Rosanna Gabaldón:
“Congressman Raúl Grijalva believed in people before they believed in themselves, and I am here today in part because he encouraged me to run for office. He was a mentor I deeply respected and a tireless champion for Southern Arizona. His death is a great loss, but his values, courage, and commitment to justice will live on in all of us who carry his work forward.”
State Representative Betty Villegas:
“Congressman Raúl Grijalva was more than a respected leader - he was a mentor, a guiding voice, and a dear friend whose commitment to justice was always grounded in love for this community and for his family, who shared him with all of us. His legacy lives on not only through his legislative accomplishments, but through the values carried forward by Adelita and the entire Grijalva family.”
Avondale Mayor Mike Pineda:
“This afternoon represents a full circle moment. The last time Congressman Grijalva visited Avondale was in 2023, when he walked this street to see first-hand the challenges the funding he secured would address and envision the improvements we are able to see today. Even as he was learning about the work underway, he was asking what other challenges we had; what else he could help with. That’s just the kind of public servant he was - not interested in thanks or accolades, but wanting to do as much as he could for those he served.”
Avondale Vice Mayor Curtis Nielson:
“First, Congressman Grijalva took the time to meet with us one on one. Elected officials from other cities sometimes complained that they were bunched together with other cities in a Congressional District. When you get a half hour with your elected leader, that half hour goes by FAST. Congressman Grijalva always gave us time alone, asking for updates about past issues and taking the time to listen to new ones.”
Avondale City Councilmember Gloria Solorio:
“Congressman Grijalva's legacy lives on in the communities he empowered, the doors he opened, and the example he set: that public service is about showing up, listening, and fighting for people every single day. Avondale is better because he served, and we carry that legacy forward with gratitude and purpose.”
Avondale Councilmember Max White:
“I’m so grateful for Rep. Raul Grijalva’s lifetime of service to Arizona. We are thankful his family shared him with the community. His advocacy at the border, addressing human rights, migrant workers’ needs, honoring our tribal nations and caring for the people of Arizona was unwavering and unmatched. Thank you, Congresswoman Grijalva for carrying your family legacy forward and making lives better for all Arizonans.”
Councilmember Tina Conde:
“In 2018 I went to DC to attend my first conference as a Council member representing Avondale. I had never met any other politicians before, and I really didn’t know what to expect. We went to his office and he welcomed us all in; the first thing I thought was what a cozy office he had; he just created it atmosphere of comfort, in a place where important decisions would be made meetings would be held. He made me feel welcomed and it was more of a tio vibe than an elected official.”