Withheavy hearts, CISPES announced on June 23 that our    inspirational compañero Don White hadpassed away in Los Angeles.  He was found in his apartment by familymembers on June 21 having suffered a heart attack.

     DonWhite, also fondly known as Don Blanco, has been the face of solidarity formany decades.  He was at the foundingconvention of CISPES in 1980, and played a key role in the organization upuntil the very week of his passing.  Donis well known and loved by so many of us for his unwavering commitment tosocial and economic justice, his tremendous humility, his infectiousenthusiasm, his bold yet extremely diplomatic conviction, and his livelyspirit.

     Itis hard to imagine the world without Don White, but as we know he would insist,the struggle must always continue.  Andso in his memory we will continue to fight for justice not only in El Salvador, but in the US, in Latin America,throughout the world, and as Don sometimes said "even in outerspace!" 

    Donwas not only the tireless leader of LA-CISPES for the past decade afterretiring as a school teacher; he also served on various boards (such as thelocal Pacifica station KPFK and the Office ofthe Americas)and worked as a volunteer for other local causes.  He travelled to ElSalvador a dozen times since 1980 and also observedelections in Nicaragua and Guatemala.

    Inorder to remember him, CISPES created a blog where many people have postedstories and photos of Don to share with those who loved him and struggledalongside him.  You can visit the blog atwww.cispes.org/donpresente/

     Athis birthday party last year, his biography ended with these words: Don hassaid many times that the work he does in the movement enriches his life, bringshim into contact with "the most beautiful people in the world," andhelps him move into his senior years knowing he will leave the world asomewhat     better place than he foundit when it all started in 1937.

    Wewill miss you, Don.  Whenever we feelthat fiery spark that ignites us to work for change,    we will know that a little piece of yourspirit is in our hearts forever.

- your compañer@s from CISPES, July 2008