News Release
For Immediate Release
January 27, 2022
Contact: Jennifer Valdivia
(213) 414-4812, [email protected]
Board Member Mónica García and Los Angeles Unified Celebrate the Life of Beloved Congressman Esteban E. Torres
Esteban Edward Torres - January 27, 1930 – January 25, 2022
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 27, 2022) – Board Member Mónica García and Los Angeles Unified celebrate the life of beloved Eastside giant, Retired Congressman Esteban E. Torres. Congressman Torres served as member of the United States House of Representatives for California’s 34th congressional district from 1983 to 1999, serving neighborhoods in Central, East and Northeast Los Angeles. He shared a deep love for the Eastside community and grassroot movements, and uplifted hard-working people as a labor organizer. Congressman Torres is the namesake of Esteban E. Torres High School, which opened in 2010 in East Los Angeles, setting high expectations for student achievement and success.
“We are grateful for the love, life and legacy of Congressman Esteban E. Torres,” Board Member Mónica García said. “His distinguished leadership and service over decades brought great pride to the Eastside, James A. Garfield High School and the Los Angeles Unified community. Throughout his career, he shared high expectations of self and others and encouraged people to get involved in their communities and contribute to solution building. As we remember his 91 years of life, we appreciate his support of our students and families. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Arcy, and their family. Rest in Power Congressman. Siempre Presente!”
“Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of Congressman Esteban E. Torres,” Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly said. “Congressman Torres leaves a lasting legacy which includes inspiring our students to strive for their dreams and accomplish their goals no matter what challenges they may face in their lives. He will be greatly missed by everyone here at Los Angeles Unified.”
“I am truly saddened by the passing of the Hon. Esteban Edward Torres,” Local District East Superintendent Jose P. Huerta said. “The longtime congressman was a trailblazer in advancing worker rights, social and environmental justice, and empowering people and communities everywhere. He is forever part of Los Angeles Unified history as a Garfield High School alumni and school namesake for the Esteban E. Torres High School in East Los Angeles.”
“Congressman Torres helped choose our school colors and our athletes are Torres Toros because his nickname in the U.S. House of Representatives was ‘El Torito,’” Carolyn McKnight, Principal for Torres East LA Performing Arts Magnet at Esteban E. Torres High School, said. “He shared his wisdom and warmth at Torres graduations and concerts and football games. The young artists, engineers, scholars and activists who graduate from the five Torres schools are proud to carry on his legacy of achievement and service. We are all grateful to have known him.”
“On the wall in my office is a photograph of Congressman Esteban E. Torres shaking the hand of one of the first students to graduate from the campus that bears his name,” Deborah Lowe, Principal for Humanitas Academy of Art and Technology at Esteban E. Torres High School, said. “He and his family helped us launch these powerful pilot high schools; we are eternally grateful for their support and inspiration. The photograph reminds us that we keep his legacy alive as we educate the next generation of Latinx leaders.”
“Congressman Esteban E. Torres was a very special man who was much more than a namesake of a high school; he is a beloved family man, role model, leader, diplomat, trailblazer, and ‘Bulldog,’ and I was very fortunate to have known him well. R.I.P., Mr. Ambassador,” Roseann Cazares, Principal for Social Justice Leadership Magnet at Esteban E. Torres High School, said.
“Esteban E. Torres' legacy is that he devoted his life to serve others - and he did that on a very large scale and for a very long time,” Martin Buchman, Principal for East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy at Esteban E. Torres High School, said. “The praise he receives is highly deserved. My condolences to his family.”
“Congressman Esteban E. Torres will be forever remembered as a major force for change in the Eastside of Los Angeles and beyond,” Maria Brenes, Executive Director of InnerCity Struggle, said. “His legacy includes community and labor organizing and securing much needed resources for our neighborhoods through his outstanding leadership. His work empowered generations of Eastsiders to be resolute in being a voice for their community. He is an ICON, a mentor and an inspiration. Thank you Congressman! Rest in POWER!”
“Congressman Esteban E. Torres was a giant amongst us, he led with heart and conviction and proudly represented his community of the Eastside,” Lizette Patron, Chief of Staff to Board Member Mónica García, said. “His legacy of service to others will live on through his work and the students of Esteban E. Torres High School. Every graduation season, he inspired so many students to fight for their communities, believe in themselves and to work in service of others. Thank you, Congressman Torres! Thank you to his family for sharing him with us all.”