HR58: Commending Carlos A. Castro.
WHEREAS, Carlos A. Castro is a respected Hispanic businessman who exemplifies the American Dream and has made countless contributions to his fellow Virginians; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro immigrated to the United States from El Salvador at the age of 25 in March 1980, having lived a life in poverty while the country was involved in a bloody 12-year civil war; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro worked in blue-collar occupations in California before coming to Virginia, where he worked as a cook and dishwasher; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro made every effort to assimilate and live the American Dream by taking English classes, learning the mechanics of business, and saving to provide for his family still in El Salvador; he ultimately brought his wife, Gladis, and their children to the United States in 1982; and
WHEREAS, Carlos and Gladis Castro opened the first Todos Supermarket in Woodbridge to fulfill the needs of a growing Hispanic community in 1990; they expanded the supermarket’s offerings beyond groceries to include money transfers and notary and income tax preparation services; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro created an inclusive company culture that helps retain employees by providing advancement opportunities, mentoring, education, and training; he cultivated a strong focus on community involvement, and his outreach efforts have attracted a diverse array of talent in the youth community; and
WHEREAS, beyond the Woodbridge area, Carlos Castro is involved in an international outreach program promoting economic opportunities for the people of El Salvador; and
WHEREAS, for more than five years, Carlos Castro has supported young people in El Salvador by providing funding and advice to promote entrepreneurship in the town of Berlin, Usulután, El Salvador, teaching tourism, encouraging self-sufficiency, and developing independent minded individuals; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro is developing a program that promotes economic development through eco-tourism and continues to develop an ecological nature park featuring extreme sports and adventure programs; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro is one of the founders of the Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Action and served on boards of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Youth for Tomorrow, Potomac Health Foundation, and Northern Virginia Community College, among many others; and
WHEREAS, as one of the top businesses in the Commonwealth, Carlos Castro’s company has received three consecutive Fantastic 50 awards from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and he has demonstrated the ideals of the American Dream and the reality of prosperity and advancement through hard work by opening his second store in Woodbridge; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro and his wife, Gladis, along with their entire family, have been role models for the Hispanic community and all immigrants in Virginia, and they have worked diligently to enhance the overall quality of life in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Carlos A. Castro hereby be commended for his success as an entrepreneur and his leadership as a humanitarian; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Carlos A. Castro as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his personal and professional achievements.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 58
WHEREAS, Carlos A. Castro is a respected Hispanic businessman who exemplifies the American Dream and has made countless contributions to his fellow Virginians; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro immigrated to the United States from El Salvador at the age of 25 in March 1980, having lived a life in poverty while the country was involved in bloody 12-year civil war; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro worked in blue-collar occupations in California before coming to Virginia, where he worked as a cook and dishwasher; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro made every effort to assimilate and live the American Dream by taking English classes, learning the mechanics of business, and saving to provide for his family still in El Salvador; he ultimately brought his wife, Gladis, and their children to the United States in 1982; and
WHEREAS, Carlos and Gladis Castro opened the first Todos Supermarket in Woodbridge to fulfill the needs of a growing Hispanic community in 1990; they expanded the supermarket’s offerings beyond groceries to include money transfers and notary and income tax preparation services; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro created an inclusive company culture that helps retain employees by providing advancement opportunities, mentoring, education, and training; he also cultivated a strong focus on community involvement, and his outreach efforts have attracted a diverse array of talent in the youth community; and
WHEREAS, beyond the Woodbridge area, Carlos Castro is involved in an international outreach program promoting economic opportunities for the people of El Salvador; and
WHEREAS, for more than five years, Carlos Castro has supported young people in El Salvador by providing funding and advice to promote entrepreneurship in the town of Berlin, Usulután, El Salvador, teaching tourism, encouraging self-sufficiency, and developing independent minded individuals; and
WHEREAS, Carlos A Castro is also developing a program that promotes economic development through eco-tourism and continues to develop an ecological nature park featuring extreme sports and adventure programs; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Castro is one of the founders of the Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Action and served on boards of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Youth for Tomorrow, Potomac Health Foundation, and Northern Virginia Community College, among many others; and
WHEREAS, as one of the top businesses in the Commonwealth, Carlos Castro’s company has received three consecutive Fantastic 50 awards from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and he has demonstrated the ideals of the American Dream and the reality of prosperity and advancement through hard work by opening his second store in Woodbridge; and
WHEREAS, Carlos A. Castro and his wife, Gladis, along with their entire family, have been role models for the Hispanic community and all immigrants in Virginia, and they have worked diligently to enhance the overall quality of life in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Carlos A. Castro hereby be commended for his success as an entrepreneur and his leadership as a humanitarian; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Carlos A. Castro as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his personal and professional achievements.