After a 36-year political career representing the San Gabriel Valley, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano announced her retirement Saturday morning, July 8, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at La Puente’s Nature Education Center in her honor.
The setting — La Puente — was a fitting site for the congresswoman, she said, as she addressed a large crowd assembled to reflect on a leader who represented Southeastern Los Angeles County for more than two decades.
“This is the only city I have represented for all those years, even before in the state Assembly,” said Napolitano, 86, who will leave at the end of her term at the end of next year. “That is why it is fitting that I hear today announce that at the end of this term, which is in 2024, I will be retiring from the United States Congress.”
In her address, Napolitano highlighted accomplishments under her watch over 25 years.
“I have seen our region grow with ingenuity that has built some of America’s greatest businesses, and the desire for residents to live in a kind, picturesque, and family-friendly community that has made millions of people move here, build homes, and have their own piece of the American dream,” she said.
That growth, she said, spanned from multiple highway and rail-safety projects, to the development of the Gold Line, to mental health initiatives and support of opportunities for Latinos, to environmental policy, such as her work improving water recycling and quality in the San Gabriel Valley.
The audience there to watch the announcement was large, aligning with a career that spanned several different levels of elected office.
Sitting amongst Napolitano’s family were leaders and residents from across the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County, including L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis and fellow congresswoman Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena.
“I knew she was a fighter for her constituents, but it wasn’t until I went to Congress and joined her that I really got to see what a fighter she is,” Chu said. “Thank goodness she’s the lead on water because together we were able to secure $20 million in the last two years to help with that cleanup effort — thanks to Grace.”
As L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn noted, “she has been perhaps the single greatest champion in Congress on all things water, from access to safe clean drinking water to investing in our port infrastructure.”
Chu highlighted causes that Napolitano had a hand in, including the 60/57 interchange construction that broke ground last week, mental health reform and veteran resources and protections.
The setting for Napolitano’s announcement, 1.2 acres of land on the Grace F. Napolitano Nature Education Center, comes after a career in which she battled in Congress for environmental protections.
As the highest-ranking California member and Hispanic member of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, Napolitano also serves as ranking member on the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, which oversees the EPA’s Clean Water Act and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water programs. She is also a member of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus.
Napolitano also serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources, advocating for conservation, water recycling, desalination and groundwater management as solutions to Southern California’s dire water needs.
“Grace was ahead of her time on many issues, and one that really hits home for us has to deal with mental health,” said Solis. “Just mentioning the word mental health sometimes implies a stigma, and we know that that really isn’t the case. When Grace talks about it — it’s about healing. It’s about providing services for families, for children, for seniors, for people who are going through hardship, and I admire her for that.”
After moving from Texas to California with her husband and five children, Napolitano was elected to the Norwalk City Council in 1986, soon moving on to the state Assembly in 1992 and Congress by 1998.
The former Ford Motor Co. employee focused on trade, small businesses, women’s issues, immigration, transportation and environmental protections.
The Democrat represents the 31st Congressional District in Los Angeles County, specifically representing the cities of El Monte, West Covina, Covina, Baldwin Park, Azusa, Bradbury, Duarte, Irwindale, South El Monte, Industry, La Puente, Avocado Heights, West Puente Valley, Valinda, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Monrovia.
Napolitano, born in 1936, is among more than a dozen high-profile U.S. lawmakers older than President Joe Biden, who is the oldest U.S president ever elected.
The lawmakers include Sen. Dianne Feinstein, born in 1933, who announced she will not run for a new term in 2024.
Others include Sen. Chuck Grassley, of Iowa, born in 1936; Rep. Maxine Waters, born in 1938; Rep. Nancy Pelosi, 1940; Sen. Bernie Sanders, 1941; and Sen. Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, 1942.
While the House is trending younger, the Senate is trending older, according to a recent Pew Research Center report.
Mike and Fred Musquiz both said it is bittersweet to see their mother retire because they know how much her work means to her. But they were also excited to spend more time at home with her.
“We are tremendously proud of her accomplishments,” said Fred. “We’re happy and proud of her more than anything. “We’re proud of her service and what she’s done. Yeah, and at the same time, you know, it’s, we’re happy that we’re gonna get to see her home every day. And she won’t be catching a flight back and forth to Washington or in Sacramento.”
Napolitano’s retirement sparks an expected intra-party battle to represent the San Gabriel Valley congressional seat.
State Sens. Bob J. Archuleta, Susan Rubio of Baldwin Park, Citrus Community College Trustee Mary Ann Lutz and Baldwin Park Planning Commissioner Ricardo Vazques have all announced campaigns to run.
Despite calls for his candidacy, Gil Cisneros, a former congressman who is the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness in the Biden administration, has not announced a bid to run for the seat.
Napolitano endorsed Archuleta on Saturday.
Located between Nelson Elementary School and the Puente Creek Drainage Channel, the Grace F. Napolitano Nature Education Center was completed in the spring of 2012 and is the city’s first new park since its incorporation in 1956. In total, the city received $1,320,000 in grants for architectural services, engineering and design, construction, and construction management for the project, and $250,000 came directly from Napolitano’s office.
The newest addition to the space is a long awaited dog park, where visitors can allow their dogs off leash. Along the flora lined pathways are informational signage to explain what visitors will observe and offer nature watcher tips to help native habitats develop. The park features a small play area that is also inspired by the nature of the water shed. Other amenities include walking trails, landscaping, a wetland reproduction and a restroom building.
Saturday’s event was festive, the crowd jovial. Horchata, agua fresca and burritos served amid the sounds of live mariachi.
Napolitano — who noted she still has a year and half of lawmaking left in her last term — also directed her thanks to constituents, staff and family.
“To wonderful residents, thank you for believing in me and my staff,” she said, adding gratitude for a “remarkable, supporting and loving family.”
“My husband was my rock, my biggest supporter and my great children and great grandchildren here are my inspiration to make America a better place for future generation,” she said.
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