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HJ115 • 2026

Commending Gustavo Torres.

Commending Gustavo Torres.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Torian
Last action
2026-04-09
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the growth of CASA or its impact on immigrant rights beyond what is necessary for the commendation.

Praise for Gustavo Torres

This bill honors Gustavo Torres, who retired after leading CASA for over three decades.

What This Bill Does

  • Says that the General Assembly wants to thank Gustavo Torres for his work.
  • Notes that Gustavo Torres was the executive director of CASA for over 30 years.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Gustavo Torres
  • CASA (an immigrant and Latino advocacy organization)

Terms To Know

General Assembly
The group that makes laws for the state, made up of representatives from different areas.
Executive Director
The person in charge of running an organization and making important decisions.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill does not change any rules or laws; it is just a statement of praise.
  • It only affects Gustavo Torres and CASA, as they are the focus of this commendation.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 House

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ115ER)

  2. 2026-02-19 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  3. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Received

  4. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

  5. 2026-02-16 House

    Engrossed by House

  6. 2026-02-16 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  7. 2026-02-06 House

    Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26104513D

Official Summary Text

Commending Gustavo Torres.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Commending Gustavo Torres.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2026
WHEREAS, Gustavo Torres, the longtime executive director of CASA, one of the largest immigrant and Latino advocacy organizations in the Commonwealth and the Mid-Atlantic United States, retired in November 2025; and
WHEREAS, Gustavo Torres devoted 34 years, including 31 years as executive director, to advancing CASA's mission through various advocacy campaigns and initiatives; and
WHEREAS, under Gustavo Torres's leadership, CASA grew from a group of three people in a church basement in 1991 into an organization that staffs hundreds of people across the Commonwealth, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, with nearly 200,000 members from 46 states and Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, through appearances on C-SPAN and a national rally he helped organize in Washington, D.C., in 2013, Gustavo Torres became a recognized and respected voice for immigrant rights and services on the national stage; and
WHEREAS, Gustavo Torres's success was a product of his visionary leadership and his willingness to foster coalitions with other advocacy groups to achieve CASA's mission and objectives; and
WHEREAS, Gustavo Torres's legacy of service with CASA and the remarkable impact he had on the organization was recognized at CASA's 40th anniversary celebration on September 18, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Gustavo Torres demonstrated extraordinary compassion and integrity over a career dedicated to the health and well-being of all people and made a profound and lasting impact on countless lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA, on the occasion of his retirement; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Gustavo Torres as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth and best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling retirement.