The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF OCTAVIO ``CHATO'' VILLALOBOS
______
HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 10, 2021
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, it is with a deep sense of gratitude and admiration that I rise today to celebrate Kansas City Police Officer Octavio ``Chato'' Villalobos. The son of Mexican immigrants, Chato has made it his life's mission to serve and protect the people of Kansas City, Missouri while working tirelessly to ensure that communities of color are treated fairly and justly by our country's criminal justice system. In light of the protests that swept across our nation last summer, it is perhaps more important than ever before to recognize police officers like Chato, whose selfless service is rooted in love and compassion for the people he protects.
Born in Torrance, California and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Chato takes great pride in belonging to Kansas City's thriving Mexican-
American community. Known by others for his thoughtful nature, Chato has always understood that identifying as a Mexican-American police officer comes not only with immense pride, but with a profound sense of purpose and responsibility as well. Communities of color, including the Latino community, have faced racism, prejudice, and discrimination here in the United States for generations, and the injustices to which the Chicano community has been subjected are far too many to count. Chato knows this history well, but rather than letting it discourage him or dampen his spirits, he has used it as a constant source of motivation to make Kansas City a better place to call home, regardless of one's skin color or national origin.
Treating others the way he wishes to be treated, Chato has made significant strides towards building trust between Kansas City's police department and the Latino community it serves. Having worn the blue uniform for many years now, Chato understands that simply offering dignity and respect to the faces he meets while on patrol goes a long way toward creating a safer city where all people are treated fairly under the law. While negative stories capture headlines and screen time, Chato has lent a helping hand to the people of Kansas City any time the opportunity has arisen ever since the first time he donned the badge, and his compassionate nature has made him beloved throughout the city.
Beyond his work as a police officer, Chato has served as a mentor to boys on the path to manhood, instilling values into our young people that will ensure their success down the road. Chato has advocated passionately on behalf of DACA, and regularly volunteers with organizations aimed at uplifting the Latino community. A committed father, Chato makes sure to teach his children about their Mexican heritage by taking them to local Chicano and Latino art festivals and celebrations, believing firmly that appreciating one's genealogy helps build a sense of personal identity while giving us the strength to face the challenges of life. And in May of 2016, Chato's heartfelt poem
``Brown Eyes in Blues'' was read aloud to an audience in Kansas City by Juan Felipe Herrera, our nation's first Latino Poet Laureate.
Madam Speaker, the impact that Octavio ``Chato'' Villalobos has made on the Kansas City community is greater than any speech of mine can encapsulate. As we enter Hispanic Heritage Month, let us take time to recognize public servants like Chato who work every day to make sure the United States is living up to its founding principles of liberty and justice for all.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 156
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