International port of entry in Douglas to be renamed in Honor of AZ Gov. Raúl H. Castro

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(Douglas, Ariz.)  —  The grandson and daughter of the late Gov. Raul H. Castro are among the family members and dignitaries attending this week’s dedication in Douglas of the “Raúl Hector Castro Port of Entry” in honor of Arizona’s 14^th governor.

The event is hosted by U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The port of entry is located at First Street and Pan American Avenue in Douglas, Arizona. Gov. Castro passed away in April. He was 98.

“Our family believes it’s very fitting that the port of entry in Douglas will be named in my father’s honor, especially since he grew up in the area and later served as governor and a three-time U.S. ambassador,” said Gov. Castro’s daughter, Beth Castro. “My father was born in Mexico, believed strongly in building cross-border ties, and he was extremely proud to have represented the United States overseas.”

Wednesday’s commemoration will happen in two parts on Wednesday, Oct. 14: the unveiling ceremony at the port of entry at 11:20 a.m. and during a banquet half dedication ceremony at the Douglas Municipal Golf Course at 1372 East Fairway Drive at 12:30 p.m. 

The dedication will feature brief remarks from a number of distinguished guest speakers from the federal, state and local governments, and Don Daley III, Gov. Castro’s grandson.

Gov. Castro was born in Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. He crossed the border with his family in 1918, during the Mexican revolution, and grew up in Pirtleville, near Douglas, Arizona. He served as a county attorney and superior court judge in Pima County in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1974, he was elected the first and only Hispanic to serve as governor of Arizona. He served as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador, Bolivia and Argentina.

News media representatives are asked to arrive at the port by 11 a.m.  and at the golf course event by 12: 15 p.m. for security screening.

Special guests for the event include The Honorable Raul Grijalva, U.S. Congressman, Arizona 3rd District;  The Honorable Martha McSally, U.S. Congresswoman, Arizona 2nd District; The Honorable Danny Ortega Jr., Mayor, City of Douglas; Mr. Andrew McMahon, Regional Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration; The Honorable Hector Rubalcava Gastelum, Mayor, City of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico; Mr. Jorge Ernesto Espejel Montes, Mexican Consul General in Douglas; Mr. William Brooks, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director Field Operations – Tucson Field Office; Mr. Juan Ciscomani, Director of the Governor’s Southern Arizona Office; Mr. Chris Stoller Michelena, Director of Hispanic Outreach, Office of Senator Flake; Mr. Ignacio Castro.