Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Gov. Katie Hobbs are among dignitaries scheduled to speak today at Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s memorial mass.
Rep. Alejandra Ocasio-Cortez and former U.S. Interior Secretary Deborah Haaland are also set to speak. The service begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. in downtown Tucson.
Grijalva, 77, died March 13 of complications of cancer treatment. An outspoken liberal voice throughout his half-century political career, he served more than 22 years in Congress, representing much of Tucson and parts of central and western Arizona, starting in 2002. Prior to that, he spent 13 years on the Pima County Board of Supervisors and another 12 years on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board.
Speakers will discuss the following topics:
— Pelosi will describe Grijalva’s impact on the nation.
— Hobbs will discuss his impact on Arizona.
— Haaland will talk about Grijalva’s environmental, Indigenous and tribal advocacy.
— Ocasio-Cortez will remember his mentorship.
— Longtime Grijalva aides Ruben Reyes and Glenn Miller will describe their experiences working for him.
— Grijalva’s daughters Adelita, Raquel and Marisa will offer words of remembrance.
The general public is welcome to attend the service, space permitting. The cathedral holds 1,250 people, according to its website. The family asks that attendees limit the number of bags and carry-ins they bring into the church, for security and space reasons.
The media won’t be allowed to attend, out of what the Grijalva family said is respect for his family, friends and members of Congress.
The service will be live-streamed online at vimeo.com/event/5016073/b4cdf01dd4.
After the memorial service, a celebration of Grijalva’s life and legacy will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. at El Casino Ballroom, 437 E. 26th St., in South Tucson.
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