Henry B. González facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry B. González
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 20th district |
|
| In office November 4, 1961 – January 3, 1999 |
|
| Preceded by | Paul J. Kilday |
| Succeeded by | Charlie Gonzalez |
| Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999 |
|
| Preceded by | Jim Leach |
| Succeeded by | John J. LaFalce |
| Chair of the House Financial Services Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995 |
|
| Preceded by | Fernand St. Germain |
| Succeeded by | Jim Leach |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Enrique Barbosa González
May 3, 1916 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | November 28, 2000 (aged 84) San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Bertha Cuellar
(m. 1940) |
| Children | 8, including Charlie |
| Education | San Antonio College University of Texas, Austin (BA) St. Mary's University, Texas (JD) |
Henry Barbosa González (born Enrique Barbosa González; May 3, 1916 – November 28, 2000) was an American politician from Texas. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the United States House of Representatives for a very long time. He represented Texas's 20th congressional district from 1961 to 1999.
Contents
Henry B. González's Early Life and Education
Henry B. González was born in San Antonio, Texas. His parents, Genoveva and Leonides Gonzalez, came from Mexico. They moved to the U.S. during the Mexican Revolution.
He went to San Antonio College and earned an associate's degree. Then, he studied at the University of Texas at Austin. Later, he earned a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio.
After finishing school, he worked as a probation officer. This job helps people who have been in trouble with the law. He quickly became the chief probation officer for Bexar County, Texas. In 1945, he left this job. He quit because a judge would not let him hire an African-American probation officer. This showed his belief in fairness for all people.
González's Start in Politics
Henry B. González began his political career in his hometown.
Serving San Antonio as a City Council Member
From 1953 to 1956, González was a member of the San Antonio City Council. During this time, he helped make public places fair for everyone. He worked to end segregation in swimming pools and other public areas in San Antonio. Segregation meant keeping people of different races separate.
Working in the Texas State Senate
In 1956, González won a seat in the Texas Senate. He stayed in the Senate until 1961. While there, he became known for speaking for a very long time. He once spoke for 36 hours straight. This special kind of long speech is called a filibuster. He used it to stop bills that would have supported segregation. Because of his efforts, most of these bills were stopped.
He also ran for Governor of Texas in 1958. He came in second place in the Democratic primary election.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
In 1961, Henry B. González was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Texas's 20th congressional district. He won a special election and then was reelected 17 more times. He served in Congress for 38 years!
Key Moments in Congress
González was known for his strong liberal views. This means he often supported new ideas and social change.
- Supporting Civil Rights: He was a strong supporter of civil rights. Unlike many politicians from the southern U.S. at the time, he voted for important laws. These included the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968. These laws helped ensure equal rights for all Americans.
- Witnessing History: On November 22, 1963, González was in President John F. Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas. He heard the shots during the assassination. He later helped move President Kennedy's casket.
- Investigating Assassinations: After the assassinations of President Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., González wanted answers. He pushed for a special committee to investigate. In 1976, the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) was created. González became its chairman in 1977.
- Challenging Presidents: González was not afraid to challenge presidents. He suggested impeaching President Ronald Reagan after the Iran–Contra affair. He also called for the impeachment of President George H. W. Bush for starting the Gulf War without Congress's full approval. He even questioned the Federal Reserve System, which manages the U.S. money supply.
Retirement and Legacy
In 1997, Henry B. González became ill. He decided not to run for reelection in 1998. He passed away on November 28, 2000, in San Antonio.
His son, Charlie Gonzalez, followed in his footsteps. Charlie won his father's old seat in 1998. Together, Henry and Charlie González served 52 years in Congress.
Henry B. González left a lasting mark:
- The Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio is named after him.
- Several elementary schools are named in his honor.
- His personal notes and letters are kept at the University of Texas at Austin. They are part of a collection about U.S. history.
Images for kids
-
The Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
See also
In Spanish: Henry B. González para niños
