The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS INSTITUTE HONORS DAN MALDONADO
______
HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, in every generation, there are people whose names may not make the paper every day, but whose actions and legacy make an immeasurable impact felt by the entire community. Dan Maldonado is one of those people. In honoring him, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute is recognizing his lifelong dedication to public service and his trailblazing record, and ensuring that his contributions are remembered for generations to come.
If there's one word that can describe Dan, ``vision'' comes to mind. He was one of the first--if not the first--Latino Chiefs of Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also helped create the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO). These groups have grown from their humble roots to become leaders in amplifying the organized voices of Latino public officials and cementing the Latino community's place in the public sphere. In large part, we have Dan to thank for that.
Dan's service didn't end with Capitol Hill. He also worked in the Carter Administration as the Director of Legislation for ACTION/Peace Corps, helping to promote America's image abroad and cultivate our country's next generation of leaders.
There is one story in particular that highlights the kind of person Dan is. In 1982, he served as the Chief of Staff for Latino Congressman Edward Roybal from Los Angeles. That term, the AIDS epidemic began taking hold in Southern California. While many were fearful and even dismissive, Congressman Roybal knew that a public health response was required. Working with Dan, he offered an amendment to procure Congressional funding for AIDS research at the National Institute of Health. Through controversy and criticism, Dan stood behind Congressman Roybal's amendment, which passed and proved critical to addressing the disease.
Proposing and standing behind the amendment was neither the obvious nor the popular thing to do. It was just the right thing to do, and Dan did it. That's the kind of person and leader he is. Our country is a better place because of his contributions.
I Congratulate Dan on this wonderful and well-deserved honor.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 207
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