LULAC Mourns The Passing Of Rick Dovalina, Civil Rights Leader And Former National President
Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Remembers Champion of Grassroots Organizing and Building Coalitions To Achieve Positive Social Change
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is today reacting to news of the sudden death of Mr. Enrique “Rick” Dovalina, a Houston attorney and lifetime member of the organization who served as its 46th national president. Condolences and tributes have begun pouring in from throughout the United States and Puerto Rico as word of his unexpected death reached colleagues and many others with whom he worked during a lifetime of civil rights advocacy that stretched more than four decades.
Domingo Garcia - LULAC 51st National President
“Today, LULAC honors the life and contributions of our past national leader, Enrique “Rick” Dovalina from 1998 to 2002, whose passing we mourn. He was known far and wide across the Southwest and beyond when he was elected at our national convention in Dallas. While president, Rick published the LULAC Civil Rights Manual, and opened a LULAC state office in Austin, Texas. Also, he worked with President George W. Bush on many critical national civil rights issues. Rick Dovalina was a major player in LULAC history and will be honored as a dynamic leader who gave generously of his time and ideas to help improve the lives of everyday Latinos. His legacy of being a tireless advocate for his community will always be remembered.”
Roger C. Rocha Jr. - LULAC 50th National President
“President Rick Dovalina was a mentor, a friend and my brother in LULAC. He believed very much in helping the community and he believed in others. His legacy shall remain alive in LULAC and with its members. I shall miss my friend terribly.” Rosa Rosales - LULAC 48th National President “Today we have suffered a painful loss of a great president of LULAC. Rick Dovalina was totally committed to making a change and being part of the LULAC family. He was a truly dedicated LULAC leader who wanted to make sure that every voice was counted. There is much regret and sadness today upon hearing of past president Dovalina passing away.”
Hector Flores - LULAC 47th National President
“From the 1980’s to the present, I developed a close relationship with Rick starting with when he served as Legal Counsel to LULAC and during his presidency. I was fortunate that during my presidential tenure when I elected to succeed him, Rick was very helpful in terms of guiding me and helping me in working the halls of Congress in Washington and in the Texas Legislature in Austin. In addition, he helped doors he had with Corporate America. In a way he was my mentor in a lot of ways and he always also brought the legal expertise that’s always required when you’re the head of an organization like LULAC. We’re definitely going to miss him very much. Our condolences to the Dovalina family during this difficult time of loss as well as to everyone Rick touched along the way in his service. We will always remember Rick for his very successful career as a lawyer and as a very distinguished member of LULAC.”
Elsie Valdes-Ramos - LULAC National Vice-President for Women
“Today, we send our most sincere and deepest condolences to the great LULAC family upon the passing of former LULAC president, Rick Dovalina. He shall be honored as a great friend of Puerto Rico and a leader who stood in solidarity with our struggles for equal rights. Our prayers are with all of you during this hour of mourning.”
Sindy Benavides - LULAC National Chief Executive Officer
“It is with a heavy heart, that the national staff and I bid farewell to President Enrique “Rick” Dovalina, a true advocate for Latinos and LULAC members across the country. President Dovalina served as the 46th President of LULAC and was a dynamic leader, with an unsurpassed vision to impact humanity and the community he loved. He is known for his big heart, warmth, intellect, and unique way of understanding the plight of the most vulnerable. I will forever be indebted to President Dovalina for his unconditional support, shared wisdom, guidance, and mentorship. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Lisa, and his children Richard and Michael. May you rest in peace and power President Dovalina. You will be missed dearly.”
Rodolfo Rosales Jr. - State Director, Texas LULAC
“I want to thank Mr. Dovalina for his loyal service to the League. He brought dignity and grace to the presidency and we will always be grateful and thankful for all his years of service. May he rest in peace.”
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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/