Ruben Alonzo

The best person I ever worked for is gone. I don't even know where to start with how much I loved and admired Harry Mitchell – Congressman, Senator, Mayor, teacher, husband, father, grandfather, friend. He was stellar in every role. I always joke that I am Mitchell Mafia, so deep is our loyalty and love for Harry. We are the nicest and most decent of all the mafias, I would argue. But like those others, no one gets out alive. No matter what job I've held since I was his Congressional District Director, I knew I would be a speechwriter, media contact and body man at events until one of us was gone. Now that has happened, and I can't even begin to imagine the void that is left with Harry's loving family and the widest circle of true friends a person could build. My deepest condolences are with all of you. Harry had so much common sense and wisdom to share that I wish I had secretly recorded him. I lost my father at 15 so I also wish I had paid more attention when he was trying to teach me basic life skills like how to properly shine shoes and iron a shirt. When he was talking about the best whiskeys or who made the best burger, I was far more attentive. About those burgers. Being a mayor with awesome sister cities, and then a Congressman, allowed Harry to travel and visit fantastic places, but that never changed him. He once told me, "I've been to some of the greatest restaurants in the world, and I ordered a hamburger in every one of them." There will be many lasting legacies to Harry's memory: statues, parks, even beers. But his vote in Congress to pass the Affordable Care Act will remain the proudest professional moment we both shared. All of us who worked for him knew it would cost him his seat, and us our jobs. His concern was for us. But he knew, we all knew, it was the right thing for our country, and that Harry would always do the right thing. May he rest in peace.