US VP bet Sen. Kaine gets teary-eyed over Fil-Am staffer’s death

LOS ANGELES — US Sen. Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate for vice president, held back tears as he paid tribute to his Filipino American staffer, Jose “Joe” Montano yesterday (Thursday in Manila) at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Montano, Kaine’s Northern Virginia regional representative, died on Monday (July 25). He was 47.

“If you knew Joe, you didn’t see Joe without a big smile on his face…the booming laugh that got everyone’s attention,” Kaine said at the end of his remarks before the Virginia delegation. A video of his speech has been posted on YouTube and circulated in social media.

WATCH: US Sen. Tim Kaine’s tribute to Joe Montano. YOUTUBE

Kaine said Montano was supposed to join him at the convention. When he didn’t show up on Monday, Kaine’s staff worried and asked the police to check on Montano at his home in Falls Church, Virginia. The cause of death is still not known as of press time.

Kaine said his Fil-Am staffer accompanied him in events in Northern Virginia last week, including a community forum about immigration reform and a dialog with interfaith leaders.

Kaine recalled the “Joe Montano spirit” that brought people from diverse backgrounds together. “Let’s go forward out of respect for the memory of our friend and the great Virginia Democrat Joe Montano,” Kaine said as he closed his speech before the Virginia delegates.

Montano was hailed by Fil-Am leaders, civil rights advocates and elected officials as a committed public servant and passionate community activist.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe described Montano as a great friend and advocate and said “Virginia will miss his passion and boundless enthusiasm.”

Rep. Don Beyer described Montano as “a voice for the people of Northern Virginia, committed to achieving progress through public service.”

“Always with a smile, Joe served his community well. His loss will be felt throughout Northern Virginia,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly.

State Sen. Scott Surovell said Montano was “one of the most positive people I’ve ever met and had an unmatched passion for grassroots organizing.”

National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) National Chair JT Mallonga said Montana ”personified NaFFAA’s aspirations for community empowerment, which he demonstrated in ways that are admirable and inspiring.”
Montano, who served as NaFFAA executive director from 2000-2002, coordinated the group’s FilAm Vote, which involved extensive outreach to Fil-Am communities nationwide. Montano had worked in electoral politics for many years, including stints with the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Party of Virginia.