[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO HENRY B. GONZALEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 7, 1997

  Ms. ROYAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and privilege to 
participate in tonight's special order honoring the service provided to 
our Nation by my friend and colleague, the Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez.
  Over the course of his distinguished career, Congressman Henry B. 
Gonzalez has served his home State of Texas and our Nation in many 
important capacities. He was elected to the San Antonio City Council in 
1953 and served in the Texas State Senate from 1957 to 1961.
  In 1961, the voters of Texas' 20th Congressional District elected him 
to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served honorably as a 
Member of Congress and a member of the Banking Committee for 36 years.
  He was appointed chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing and 
Community Development in 1981 and chairman of the full Banking 
Committee in 1989.
  Throughout his 36 years of service Mr. Gonzalez has always been a 
leader in the fight for basic human rights and needs, including safe 
and affordable housing, consumer protections, and economic opportunity 
and equity.
  As chairman of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, Mr. 
Gonzalez served as a strong and productive leader.
  He managed and led to enactment of numerous bills, including complex 
legislation reforming the savings and loan industry, fundamental reform 
of bank regulation, and the last major public housing legislation to 
become law.
  As ranking member last term, Mr. Gonzalez, helped to defeat several 
banking proposals that weakened consumer protections.
  Henry B. Gonzalez is a leader who opened doors of opportunity and set 
the standard for Latino-Elected officials throughout the Nation. I am 
pleased to join my colleagues in memorializing his accomplishments and 
wishing him happiness in his retirement.

                          ____________________