Honoring the Life and Legacy of Alfonso "al" Rodriguez
Printed in the Congressional Record of Jul 22, 2026.
Text in the Record
Ms. ANSARI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life and legacy of Alfonso ``Al'' Rodriguez, a beloved mentor, community leader, and pillar of Arizona's boxing community. After more than six decades of dedicated service to young people and boxers across the Valley, Rodriguez passed away on July 6, 2026. While his passing marks the end of an extraordinary life, his legacy will endure through the countless lives he impacted and through the continued work of the Rodriguez Boxing Club. Al and his wife, Carmen Rodriguez, moved from Texas to Arizona, where they raised five children: Al Rodriguez, Jr., Carolina Olmos, Ofelia Hooper, Fernando Rodriguez, and Seferino ``Sefe'' Rodriguez. As a third-generation boxer, Al founded the Rodriguez Boxing Club in the backyard of his Mesa home in 1961, where he began coaching his children while instilling in them the notion that everyone is a ``diamond in the rough''. To Al, every individual possessed the potential to become a champion, both inside and outside the ring. That belief became the foundation of the Rodriguez Boxing Club, a gym in the heart of downtown Phoenix and a refuge for generations of young people. For decades, the gym has provided a safe, welcoming environment where youth can develop discipline, confidence, and resilience. Operating as a non-profit organization, the Rodriguez Boxing Club has remained committed to ensuring that it is accessible to all members of the community. Today, Al's children continue to carry forward his mission with the same compassion, dedication, and commitment to service that defined their father's life. Through their leadership, the Rodriguez Boxing Club remains a testament to Al's enduring belief in the transformative power of mentorship, opportunity, and community. It is my privilege to recognize the remarkable life of Alfonso ``Al'' Rodriguez and to honor his more than six decades of service to Arizona's 3rd Congressional District.
[[Page E729]]
About this record
- Source
From the Congressional Record. This record was last updated Sep 2, 2026. About our data
- What it is
The text as printed in the Congressional Record. Agora shows it unchanged, except that it splits it into paragraphs and shows the heading in title case instead of capital letters.
- Dates
Printed in the Congressional Record of Jul 22, 2026. Extensions of Remarks are submitted in writing; they are not spoken on the floor.
- Source title
In the Record, the heading reads: HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALFONSO "AL" RODRIGUEZ.
- This page
Agora assembled this page from public records. Nothing on it was written by the speaker or their office, except the remarks as printed.