WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Charles Rangel released the following statement on the retirement of retirement of Congressman Dennis Cardoza on Thursday, October 20, 2011:

“I am sad to learn that the House of Representatives will be losing a great Member with the retirement of my friend and colleague, Congressman Dennis Cardoza.   For over 20 years, he has been a strong Democratic leader for the people of the Central Valley and this country.”

Congressman Cardoza has been a champion for the farmers of the Central Valley, authoring the 2008 Farm Bill and improving the infrastructure of his congressional district and California.  It is in tough times like these when we need more great statesmen like Congressman Cardoza, with whom I am privileged to have served.   He will be greatly missed by his constituents and my fellow Colleagues in Congress.   

I wish Dennis, his wife and family the best of luck and a joyous retirement."