OBITUARY: Arizona Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva

Raúl M. Grijalva, an advocate for environmental conservation, immigrant rights, and progressive values, passed away on March 13, 2025. The longtime leader spent over 50 years dedicated to public service. His lasting legacy will be his unwavering commitment to social justice, education, and protecting public lands.

Grijalva viewed leadership as a responsibility, not just a platform for policy. “We are not only required to produce,” he said after winning his third term in Congress, “but we are required to lead.” That belief guided him through his years of service, where he mentored many progressive leaders and pushed for policies that expanded opportunities for working-class families.

Born in Tucson, Arizona, on February 19, 1948, Grijalva’s father’s journey as an immigrant through the Bracero labor program during World War II shaped his political and personal values. His father later became a U.S. citizen, married and settled in Tucson’s southwest side, where Grijalva grew up. After graduating from Sunnyside High School in 1967, he attended the University of Arizona, later earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1987.

His early career was dedicated to community work—serving as a social worker, community organizer, and assistant dean for Hispanic Student Affairs at the University of Arizona. In 1974, he ran for the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board, serving for over a decade as he fought for educational equity. That commitment to public service carried him to the Pima County Board of Supervisors in 1988, where he spent 15 years focusing on local economic development and environmental conservation. “I am not one to avoid traveling the path least traveled,” he said before entering national politics. “The personal risk is well worth the community reward.”

Elected to Congress in 2002, Grijalva represented Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, later redistricted to the 3rd. His district covered nearly 23,000 square miles, including seven Native American reservations, reflecting his lifelong advocacy for diversity and inclusion.

In Congress, he became one of the most vocal environmentalists, chairing the Natural Resources Committee and working to return 16,000 acres to four American Indian tribes while blocking mining near the Grand Canyon. As chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, he pushed to secure funding for national parks and preserve Arizona’s natural landscapes for future generations.

Grijalva also advocated for immigration reform, sponsoring legislation like the Safe, Orderly, Legal Visas and Enforcement Act (SOLVE) and expanding educational programs for seasonal workers’ families and non-native English speakers. He will be known for championing labor rights, fighting for workplace protections, and a constant voice for equity and opportunity.

His leadership left an indelible mark on the Democratic Party, even beyond his legislation. He co-chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus, was vice chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and led the Democratic Environmental Task Force—shaping national discussions on justice and inclusion.

Grijalva leaves behind his wife, Ramona, and their daughters, Adelita, Raquel, and Marisa. His daughter Adelita carries on his legacy as a Pima County Supervisor, ensuring the Grijalva name remains synonymous with public service.

“We have an obligation to those we serve,” he once said. “To listen, to act, and to never back down when the fight is just.”