RAUL H. CASTRO

The New Governor of Arizona RAUL H. CASTRO

The American dream has become reality for an Arizonan named Raul Castro. Born in poverty on June 12, 1916, in Cananea, Sonora, Mexico, Raul was one of 14 children who lived in a hut about the size of the average American living room.

Early in life when he moved with his family to Douglas, Arizona, he realized that education and hard work were the keys to his future. At the age of nine, he began working at whatever job was available while studying hard and seldom missing a day of school. As a youngster, he fell in love with America and Arizona but decided to wait to become a naturalized citizen until he "was sure I could contribute to the growth and success of this coun-try to be able to pay back just a little of the wonderful opportunities afforded me."

So, he became a part-time miner, rancher and farm-hand to finance his education at Northern Arizona University. When he earned his B.A. degree, he decided he "was fit to become a citizen."

"I am an American by choice, an Arizonan by desire. I am proud of my Mexican heritage, but there is no nation on earth which can compare with the United States in cultivating and encourag-ing the development of the individual. Arizona is, perhaps, the one state which best exemplifies the opportunities provided every individual regard-less of creed or origin."

As a young college graduate, Raul first taught elementary school, and during World War Two, was an official of the U.S. Foreign Service. Following the war, he became an instructor at the University of Arizona while earning his law degree.

In 1954, he became the first person of Mexican descent to be elected Pima County Attorney, and four years later, was elected Judge of the Superior Court. After two years of presiding over criminal and civil cases, he became a juvenile court judge, gaining a statewide reputation for his firm but fair treatment of youngsters in trouble with the law. Raul's accomplishments came to the attention of the White House, and in 1964, President Lyndon Johnson asked the judge to serve as United States Ambassador to El Salvador. His performance was so extraordinary that he was presented with that nation's highest award - the Matias Delgado Decoration. When the President was in need of a strong leader to serve as Ambassador to Boliva, he again turned to Raul Castro.

Arizona's new Governor elected to the 32nd gubernatorial term since statehood first sought the office four years ago, losing to incumbent Jack Williams by 7,000 votes. Although Williams is a Republican and Castro a Democrat, the two chief executives have much in common. Both are political conservatives. Both were born into poverty. Both spent childhood years in Mexico. Early in their lives, both adopted Arizona as their permanent home, and both men have struggled to turn adversity into success.

Castro, as a youngster, learned that if he was going to help make a living for his family and still excel in school, he had little time for sleep. So, he quickly learned to get by on four or five hours per night, beginning each day before the bright Arizona sun aroused his neighbors. His sleeping habits are the same today, and it is unusual for him not to be able to spend 12 or 13 hours at work before dinner. Described by several closest to him as a man of compassion and empathy, Raul has spent many of his "extra hours" each day contributing his time and effort to civic projects. He is a member of the national board of directors of both the Boy Scouts of America and the Humane Society of America. He also serves as a board member of the Legal Aid Society, United Community Campaign and the Development Authority of Tucson's Economy. In recent years, Raul has been active in the Tuberculosis Association, Red Cross, YMCA and Tucson Art Center and Museum.

In 1963, he was named "Naturalized Citizen of the Year" by the Pima County Bar Association. A year later, the Daughters of the American Revolution bestowed their "Americanism Medal" upon him, and in 1966, he received the "Distinguished Public Service Award" from the University of Arizona. In addition to his B.A. and J.D. degrees, he has been awarded honorary doctorates from Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University. Now, all three major universities of the State can claim him as an alumnus.

Having served for many years as an arbiter in labormanagement disputes in many of the State's industries, Raul has perfected the ability to bring people together to cause them to want to work together for the good of everyone involved.

"The word 'compromise' is thought of by many as the best way to describe lack of fortitude or principle. However, 'compromise' in the finest sense means to blend two ideas into one stronger idea, and this is what has made America great. Americans will not tolerate domination by one political ideology. We truly believe in the right of the minority and because we maintain respect for those with whom we differ, we listen, we compromise and we grow."

OPPOSITE PAGE

The people of the State are looking forward to this soon-to-be-constructed Capitol Plaza. Great expanses of lawn area and intimate tree-shaded nooks with bench seating will draw both the general public and the governmental employees outside, day and night. Special recognition was given to the U.S.S. Arizona Anchor Memorial and the State's Indian Heritage. One of the two anchors from the ship sunk at Pearl Harbor is to be given a permanent setting in a memorial to the 1103 lives lost on December 7, 1941. The names of these men are to be cast into the 30 plaques placed around the perimeter of the memorial bowl. Water will fall by gravity from this fountain to the 'canal' ringing the Main Plaza. The Indian Memorial, located inside the Main Plaza, also feeds water into these 'canals' to be fed along the Plaza perimeter, tumbling from dam to dam, and finally to be pumped back to the treatment area. A pre-historic Arizona Indian Symbol was chosen for the bottom of this Memorial Pool to symbolize the depth of native Indian history.

Courtesy Schoneberger, Straub, Florence and Associates Architects, Inc.

The governor works with prize hackney ponies at the Castro ranch.

Arizona's new Governor and his First Lady, Pat, have made Tucson their home for the past 25 years. They are presently building a second home in Prescott where they will retreat when breaks from official duties will allow. The couple has two daughters, Mary Pat and Beth, both of whom are now married and living in Southern California.

Pat and Raul Castro raise horses, and Pat has also begun raising Irish Wolfhounds. During a television campaign interview a few months ago, Raul was asked about his hobbies, and he remarked that he raises Mexican-Irish Wolfhounds. When asked for the description of such an animal, he related that it is "similar to an Irish Wolfhound only a little bit chubbier, has black, wavy hair, a prominent nose and a well-manicured mustache."

The New Governor possesses a dry wit and doesn't hesitate to poke fun at himself when he goofs in a speech. Those who spend considerable time with him all describe a personal warmth and radiance of enthusiasm which is very contagious.

"I love people. From every person I have known, I have learned. From every person I have worked with, I have grown. Arizona has great beauty - in her mountains and deserts and canyons and wildlife but the greatest beauty of Arizona is her people. Nowhere in the world can you find happier, friendlier, more industrious people. The world knows about Arizona sunshine, but it takes a firsthand look to realize that much of the radiance comes from her people."