EL MONTE – Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) issued the following statement today on the death of El Monte City School District Vice President Agustin "Bobby" Salcedo, who was abducted and murdered along with five other men on Wednesday night while visiting with family members in the city of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico:
"Our community has lost a rising star and a tremendous leader with the death of Bobby Salcedo. My heart goes out to Bobby's brother, Carlos, his wife Betzy and their entire family, as well as to his fellow school district colleagues and the faculty and students at El Monte High School where Bobby was an assistant principal, as they cope with the shock and sadness of this terrible loss.
"I urge the authorities in Durango, Mexico to direct all necessary resources toward solving this senseless killing and to bringing the murderers to justice. The Salcedo family, and indeed the entire El Monte and South El Monte community, deserve answers, and we will work hard to ensure that they get those answers and the justice they deserve.
"I have directed my staff in the district and in Washington to make sure the Salcedo family receives the assistance they require at this difficult time, and to work with our contacts in the Department of State and U.S. consulate authorities in Mexico to make sure there is appropriate coordination with Mexican law enforcement as the investigation develops.
"This incident is a terrible reminder of the drug war that is raging just south of our border, and most importantly, it shows that this conflict does not respect borders. We are all affected by the violence in Mexico, and that is why our federal government must do everything in its power to assist the Mexican authorities in their struggle against these ruthless drug gangs, including staunching the flow of weapons from the United States to Mexico and reducing demand for the drugs in our country.
"I vow to work with my Congressional colleagues to address this crucial issue, and to ensure that our citizens can once again travel to Mexico without fearing for their lives or the lives of their loved ones."
