Phil Soto

Philip Soto (March 3, 1926 – November 4, 1997) was one of the first Latinos elected to the California State Legislature in the twentieth century and was an early role model for contemporary Latino politicians.

Born in Los Angeles' Boyle Heights neighborhood, Soto served as a bombardier in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific during World War II. Afterwards, he helped organize the GI Forum, a foundation for Hispanic American veterans.

Soto was active in union and civil rights causes, and marched with Cesar Chavez from Delano to Sacramento in March and April 1966, one of the United Farm Workers' most famous workers' rights demonstrations. In a show of support, he voluntarily spent a night in jail with Chavez, and later spent another night in jail with UFW President Dolores Huerta after she was arrested for organizing farm workers.

He later was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to help set up economic development and job training programs in East Los Angeles. Soto retired in 1988 as director of the Small Business Administration's minority business development program.

Soto was the founder and president of the La Puente Democratic Club, served as local campaign manager for the presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy and was an advisor for Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign.

Soto died of cancer at his home in Pomona, California, on November 4, 1997, at the age of 71. He was married to Nell Soto, who later also served in the California State Legislature.