Raymond Telles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raymond L. Telles Jr.
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Telles in 1961
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| United States Ambassador to Costa Rica | |
| In office May 22, 1961 – February 19, 1967 |
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| President | John F. Kennedy |
| Preceded by | Whiting Willauer |
| Succeeded by | Clarence A. Boonstra |
| 32nd Mayor of El Paso | |
| In office 1957–1961 |
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| Preceded by | Tom E. Rogers |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Seitsinger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 5, 1915 El Paso, Texas |
| Died | March 8, 2013 (aged 97) Sherman Oaks, California |
| Resting place | El Paso, Texas |
Raymond L. Telles Jr. (September 5, 1915 – March 8, 2013) was a very important leader. He was the first Mexican-American Mayor of a big American city, El Paso, Texas. He was also the first Hispanic person to be chosen as a U.S. ambassador.
Raymond Telles was born and grew up in the El Segundo Barrio neighborhood of El Paso, Texas.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Raymond Telles studied to become an accountant. He worked for the United States Department of Justice for eight years.
Serving His Country
In 1941, Telles joined the Army. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He became the chief of a special program called the Lend-Lease Program. This program helped send supplies to countries in Central America and South America. Telles left the military as a major.
Special Awards and Roles
Because of his work with the Lend-Lease Program, Telles received several awards. These included the Peruvian Flying Cross and the Order of the Southern Cross from Brazil. He also received the Mexican Legion of Merit. Telles helped many presidents from Latin American countries when they visited the United States. He also served as a military helper to U.S. Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower when they visited Mexico City.
Korean War Service
In 1951, Telles was called back to serve in the Korean War. He worked as an Executive Officer for the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in the U.S. Air Force.
A Leader in Government
Raymond Telles had a long career helping people in government.
Mayor of El Paso
In 1948, Telles was elected as the county clerk for El Paso County, Texas. This job involved keeping important records.
In 1957, Raymond Telles was elected mayor of El Paso. He was so popular that he ran for a second term (1959–1961) and no one ran against him!
Ambassador and Beyond
After being mayor, President John F. Kennedy chose Telles to be the Ambassador to Costa Rica. An ambassador is a country's main representative in another country.
Later, in 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Telles to lead the U.S.-Mexican Border Commission. This group worked on issues between the United States and Mexico.
In 1971, President Richard Nixon chose him to lead the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This important group works to make sure everyone has a fair chance at jobs, no matter their background.
Personal Life
Raymond Telles had a daughter named Cynthia Telles. She grew up to become a professor at UCLA. Just like her father, Cynthia Telles also became a U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica.
Raymond Telles passed away on March 8, 2013, in Sherman Oaks, California. He was 97 years old.
