The Buzz: "Adelante, Grijalvistas"

On Wednesday, close to one thousand mourners filled Tucson’s St. Augustine Cathedral to lay to rest the late congressman. Notable speakers included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

Reyes was one of the speakers at Grijalva’s funeral, where he recalled a special moment the two had driving down Interstate 8. With windows down, cigarette ashes flying back in the car, and playing air guitar to Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, Grijalva would “scream through the wind and say, 'Don’t worry about a thing, everything’s going to be all right.'”

“I will eventually make my way back to Somerton, the middle of the night, and somewhere along Gila Bend, I will roll down that window and let that crazy midnight desert air make a wreck out of my life one more time, and I will play–this time on Spotify–Bob Marley, and I know that I will not be alone when I start hearing those lyrics: ‘Don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing’s gonna be all right.’”

Tucsonans later gathered at the El Casino Ballroom on the city’s south side to honor the congressman's memory.

Friends, family, and community members shared stories of his unwavering commitment and deep-rooted connection to the people he served. Many, like former City Councilwoman Molly McKasson, remembered his political antics.

“It was good trouble,” McKasson said. “We spoke at an event against the Gulf War, and we both got pamphleted as communists…it never stopped Raul… He took it to the height; he was not afraid to do what he felt in his heart was right.”

While others reminisced on the many reasons why they continuously campaigned for the machine. Like Bill Miller, who volunteered on eight of his eight campaigns.

“The thing about Raul Grijalva was he was a rare animal that you could get behind completely and not be afraid that he was hiding something, or that he was compromised, or that he was taking dirty money or doing dirty deeds,” Miller said. “He was puro puro; he was the real deal.”

From politicians to neighbors, the room was filled to standing room only while loud sounds of Grijalva’s favorite music and a collective understanding to celebrate, not only mourn, rang across the El Casino Ballroom.

Adelita, one of the late congressman’s daughters, remembered one very important lesson she took from her father.

“No one is going to give you anything, and you don't deserve to be given anything. If you have to work for it, then you'll appreciate it,” she recalled.

Grijalva was raised by two immigrant parents, and his father was a ranch laborer in the United States through the Bracero guest worker program. He ensured that his children understood the meaning of working for what you have, a lesson that Adelita says she is passing along to her children.

“He said, ‘[Sunnyside] wasn't a bad school. I got a good education, but you come out of there with a strength you can't buy and you won't get if I'm handing you a silver spoon,’” she said.

When Adelita recalls her father, she says she will remember him for his humor, curious mind, constant cursing, and love for his family.

“He always was thinking of all of us.”

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