In 1974 the State of Arizona elected Raul H. Castro as the first Hispanic/Latino governor in the history of the state.

This gentle individual who is 97 years old not only served our state honorably but also served our country as ambassador to Argentina, Bolivia and El Salvador.

The Consular Corps of Arizona, which is comprised of 35 nations represented both by Consul Generals as well as Honorary Consuls, will take pride on Dec. 11 in saluting the former ambassador and governor with a gala dinner at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge, which will be attended by government officials of the Republican, Democratic and Independent parties but, more importantly, the many Arizonans who continue to respect his lifelong commitment to public service.

Ambassador Castro was born in Cananea, Mexico, came to the United States when he was two years old with his father and mother and through many years of grueling, physical labor was able to enter Arizona Teachers College (now NAU) and later earned his law degree from the University of Arizona School of Law. He was a middleweight boxer as a young man, giving him the fortitude later in life to stand up to individuals, organizations and groups who had no respect for the disadvantaged.

He has always believed in the compromise factor, which is ignored by politicians in all forms of government today. Ambassador Castro believed in the American spirit of freedom and respect.

During his years in the Diplomatic Service, Ambassador Castro served under Presidents Johnson and Nixon. The Ambassador recently told me that his favorite foreign service assignment was in my home country of El Salvador, which brought joy and pride to my heart. Ambassador Castro's career is a perfect example of why I continually try to encourage youth to enter the Foreign Service and serve the United States of America in foreign nations.

The proceeds from the Ambassadors Gala Dinner will be used to fund the Consular Corps of Arizona Scholarship, which is awarded to an ASU, UofA or NAU graduate who under our guidelines must enter a graduate program in an Arizona state university system for a MBA degree.

The Hispanic/Latino community in Arizona, the Southwest and the entire country is becoming a powerful entity both politically as well as from an economic factor as all of us have recognized recently.

This individual’s service clearly will be a motivational factor for the Hispanic/Latino youth as well as all Americans throughout our country. I respectfully ask that you reflect on this unique individual's commitment to excellence in public service. Also, please join me in offering our gratitude and respect to he and his family and offer prayers that he will enjoy many more years of positive health and happiness together with his loved ones and friends.