Today, we mourn the passing of U.S. Congressman Ed Pastor, a dedicated public servant, voice for all communities, and a longtime friend of the campaign for a National American Latino Museum. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Rep. Pastor, and reflect on his exceptional life and career as a leader.

Rep. Pastor, the first Latino congressman from Arizona, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1991. He served an incredible 23 years in Congress, representing Arizona and advocating for the entire American Latino community. A senior member of the House delegation for many years, Rep. Pastor’s reputation for cooperation and kindness made him a respected figure on both sides of the aisle.

In addition to his service on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Pastor was a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and sat on the Board of Supervisors for Maricopa County. He served as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute from 1995 -1996.

On a personal note, I had the pleasure of meeting the Congressman Pastor and his family when I first began my career in Washington D.C. He was always thoughtful and generous with his time. I was blessed to have the opportunity to know and learn from him. As a fierce defender of civil rights, a trailblazer for Latino leadership in Congress, and an inspiration to all who knew and worked with him, I join my brothers and sisters as we mourn Rep. Pastor’s passing and celebrate his legacy. Stories like his deserve a permanent home on the National Mall, to be recognized and retold for generations to come. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

Sincerely,




Estuardo V. Rodriguez
Executive Director