The Democratic representative by Arizona Raúl M. Grijalva died Thursday due to complications derived from cancer treatments. He was the son of a Mexican immigrant and was first chosen to the representative Chamber in 2002.
The Democratic representative for Arizona, Raúl M. Grijalva, who served for 12 mandates in the United States Congress, died Thursday due to complications derived from cancer treatments, his office reported.
Grijalva, 77, presided over the Natural Resources Commission of the United States Representatives Chamber and was the Democrat of the highest rank in that commission until the beginning of this year. He had been absent from Congress in recent months due to cancer treatment.
The Grijalva office stated: “Since the permanent protection of the Grand Canyon for future generations until the strengthening of the Asequible Health Care Law, their most proud moments in Congress have always been guided by the voices of the community.”
Grijalva, son of a Mexican immigrant, was first chosen to the House of Representative in 2002. Known as a liberal leader, he led the progressive Caucus of Congress in 2008 and dedicated much of his career to work in environmental causes in the Natural Resources Commission. He resigned from that position this year, after announcing that he planned to retire instead of presenting himself to re -election in 2026.
Grijalva had announced in April last year that he had been diagnosed with cancer, but that he could continue with his work. Despite missing hundreds of voting in the camera, he sought re -election and won easily in one of Arizona's most democratic districts.
The seat will remain vacant until a replacement is chosen in a special choice at the end of this year.
Another democratic member of the House of Representatives, the representative Sylvester Turner of Texas, died last week due to health problems.