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USHLI Mourns Joaquin Andrade, Age 37
Joaquin Family Joaquin Amado Andrade
1972-2009

My 37 year old son, Joaquin Amado, went to be with the Lord last Sunday night.  His death came swiftly, unexpectedly, and was, needless to say, untimely; the result of a massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Joaquin loved life, but he seemed to know that it would be his love that endured far beyond his life.  He found in Ana the love of his life, a love they shared with Alec and Juliana.  In them Joaquin also found true happiness, the kind of happiness that all parents hope and pray their children will find.  

Joaquin confronted, with amazing dignity, everything life threw at him.  Ten years ago he refused to see a doctor for fear of missing school and work, and probably because he also feared that he may be seriously ill.  It was only when he could no longer stand up or lay down that he finally went to the emergency room, hoping to get a prescription for a pain killer.  What he had was a very aggressive cancer that was already in stage four.  We signed a waiver allowing doctors to try anything to save him.  Joaquin endured brutal doses of chemotherapy, suffered quietly, fought hard, survived two major surgeries, and won a second chance to live and find happiness.  

Joaquin returned to school and completed a degree in marketing and graphic design from Columbia College in Chicago.  Through his work, Joaquin transformed the face and image of USHLI.  His designs included The Almanac of Latino Politics, all USHLI conference materials, our USHLI Web site, pop-up banner, and weekly e-newsletter.  Joaquin also designed the NHLA Agenda submitted last year to the presidential candidates.  The last time I saw him alive was last Tuesday evening, as I waited on what would be his last design entitled "The Emerging Presence of Ethnic and Racial Minorities in Congressional Districts;" the basis of our briefing on capitol hill last Wednesday.

Many friends have called the office to ask what they can do to help, and we are very grateful.  Because of his pre-existing condition Joaquin could not afford health or life insurance.  So we are asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the "Joaquin Amado Andrade Memorial Fund," which will serve as a college fund for Alec and Juliana.  Donations may be sent to USHLI at 431 S. Dearborn, Suite 1203, Chicago, IL, 60605, while a college fund account is being established.  We just ask that you keep Ana, Alec, Juliana and the entire Andrade family in your prayers.

Visitation will be from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 27, at Kish Funeral Home, located at 10000 Calumet Avenue in Munster, IN.  A private service will be held Saturday in Schererville, IN.