WASHINGTON — After a record-breaking 50-day delay that left Arizona’s 7th Congressional District without representation during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Rep. Adelita Grijalva finally took the oath of office Wednesday. Her first remarks? A five-minute speech that flowed seamlessly between English and Spanish — a deliberate nod to the bicultural reality of the western United States.

“Our democracy works when everyone has a voice,” she began in English, before pivoting: “Este momento es histórico para nuestra comunidad. Es un honor ser la primera Latina en representar a Arizona en el Congreso.” ( This is a historic moment for our community. It is an honor to be the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress. )

Grijalva, daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijal

See Full Page