[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10344-H10349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING HENRY B. GONZALEZ FOR 4\1/2\ DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE HOUSE 
       AND THE PEOPLE OF THE 20TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 7, 1997, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) is recognized for 
the balance of the Minority Leader's hour, approximately 51 minutes.
  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight and requested this special 
order and share it with a number of our colleagues to pay tribute to 
our friend and colleague and the Dean of the Texas Congressional 
Delegation, the distinguished Congressman from 20th Congressional 
District of Texas, Henry B. Gonzalez. It is an honor to be associated 
with such a great man, and we wish him well in his retirement.
  Texas has many colorful and distinguished leaders, some of which have 
reached the level of legend. Henry B. Gonzalez worked in Congress and 
his dedication to his constituents places him that top category. Henry 
B. has been noted as being the last great populist. His tenacity marks 
his good works. He has been a voice and not a echo, and he has also 
been known as a fighter.
  And I will go on, Mr. Speaker, but I would like to yield to the 
incoming Dean of the Texas Democrat delegation, my colleague from 
Dallas, Martin Frost.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and 
colleague, the Dean of the Texas Delegation, Henry B. Gonzalez of San 
Antonio. Henry is leaving Congress, but in doing so he is leaving 
behind a legacy of nearly four decades of service to this House and to 
the people of the 20th Congressional District of Texas.
  When Henry first came to Congress in 1961, he tacked a sign to the 
door of his office which said, ``This office belongs to the people of 
the 20th Congressional District of Texas.''
  Throughout his career both here and in Washington and in Texas, Henry 
has been a man of the people and a tireless advocate for the less 
fortunate among us. He has stood tall for the people of the 20th 
District of Texas by championing affordable housing for all Americans, 
especially the poor, equal rights for every American regardless of 
their heritage, and above all decency and honesty in his actions as a 
public servant.
  Henry is, however, a man of great independence, and he has 
demonstrated time and again this willingness to take a stand regardless 
of which way the political winds might be blowing. He has never been 
afraid to stake out his own position and defend it regardless of how 
unpopular it might make him. He is a man of great integrity, and he 
will be missed.
  Henry B., as he is affectionately known to our delegation and to his 
constituents, has been in San Antonio for much of this Congress 
recovering from an illness that may have slowed him down but could not 
stop him. I am so grateful he has joined us again for these last days 
of the 105th Congress so that we can all pay tribute to a truly great 
American.
  Henry, I salute you and wish you well as you return to San Antonio. I 
know that just because you are not in Congress that your voice will not 
be silenced. I expect to hear that you have once more found a way to 
stand up and defend those who cannot do so for themselves.
  Via con Dios, mi amigo.
  Mr. GREEN. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, Congressman Gonzalez' 
outstanding 45 year career of public service and his 38 year career 
demonstrates his deep commitment to public service and his constituents 
and his thorough knowledge of the House procedures in his dedication to 
this House of Representatives. Prior to his election to the House of 
Representatives in 1961, Henry B. served as a member of the San Antonio 
City Council and as City Mayor Pro Tem. He was subsequently elected to 
the Texas State Senate where he is remembered as a champion of the 
people. He is revered, known, for leading a 36 hour filibuster against 
legislation which sought to uphold and facilitate the principles of 
segregation.

                              {time}  2020

  Henry B. held the floor of the Texas Senate for 22 hours and 2 
minutes finishing shoeless and exhausted but victorious in the late 
1950s. He made such an impression on the Texas State Senate that his 
portrait hangs in the chamber in Austin, Texas. Only one other Member 
of Congress has ever had their portrait hung in the Chamber of the 
Texas Senate, the late Barbara Jordan.
  Henry B. was elected to Congress in 1961, and his legislative agenda 
included housing, the need for lower interest rates, education, 
adequate energy supply at a reasonable price, more industry for San 
Antonio, increases in minimum wage, not only as a State Senator in 
Texas in the 1950s, but also a host of other issues that are important 
to the people in his community and the people in the State of Texas but 
also the people of our Nation.
  Throughout his service in Congress, Henry B. has made his mission to 
force the chief executive to justify any military action. In 1983, 
Congressman Gonzalez was the only Member calling for the withdrawal of 
U.S. troops from Lebanon.

[[Page H10345]]

  He introduced the resolution to this effect and continued to speak 
out on this issue. Congress should have listened to him, because 3 days 
after his last statement on the subject, the Beirut bombing occurred.
  Henry B.'s greatest accomplishments are in the area of affordable 
housing. He insisted on protecting the rights of low income citizens 
instead of ganging up on them like some people do.
  Mr. Speaker, I will go on for a few minutes, but I would like to 
yield to both a good friend, but also a neighbor of the 20th district 
in San Antonio, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to be joining the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Frost) in this special order today.
  We honor not only a colleague, we honor an American hero. It is my 
honor to offer this tribute on my behalf, on behalf of the San 
Antonians and the constituents of the 20th Congressional District and 
the behalf of Texas and the Nation.
  Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez deserves our praise and has earned our 
respect and admiration. His story is one that has inspired generations 
and will likely inspire many more. We all know Henry B. In San Antonio, 
all you have to say is Henry B., and everyone knows who he is. The 
Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez of the 20th Congressional District. His 
name and his face are known in every household in San Antonio.
  In my family, my father would always call him El Compadre Gonzalez. 
He was our compadre because we admired him. We respected him, and we 
knew he had us and our neighbors in his thoughts and his actions. He 
was like one of our households.
  He was also known and we also recognize Congressman Gonzalez as the 
first Hispanic from Texas elected to this body. In those days, in San 
Antonio, it was very much smaller than it is today, and the 20th 
Congressional District included the entire city of San Antonio.
  Let me tell my colleagues that, in those days, as a Mexican-American, 
to be elected out of San Antonio was an extraordinary action. Those 
were the days when we were required to have a poll tax and had to pay 
in order to participate in the elections.
  Henry B. Gonzalez was an extraordinary man. We know him as the man 
who stands his ground, who does not shy away from dispute, who holds 
fast to his values. In so many ways Congressman Gonzalez's life 
represents the American dream.
  His parents were immigrants from Mexico who fled the violence in the 
1911 revolution in Mexico. He worked hard and obtained a college degree 
and, as my colleagues recall, it is even difficult now for Hispanics to 
be able to get a degree. At that time, it was more extraordinary 
because he did it so many years ago.
  Henry B. helped his father and his business and then turned to public 
service as a probation officer and then as a deputy director of the San 
Antonio Housing Authority. His passion for the poor and his passion for 
fighting for equity, his fierce sense of justice became his landmark.
  In the early 1950s, Henry B. made a name for himself in San Antonio 
as a city councilman, then as a State Senator. In the Texas Senate, he 
is known as holding the longest filibuster in Texas history, a record 
that still stands.
  His career reflects his passion for civil rights, his fight for the 
American ideals of equal justice for all. He fought against segregation 
in the 1950s and helped lead the struggle to pass civil rights laws in 
the 1960s.
  He even dared to oppose the now discredited House Committee on Un-
American Activities. As a distinguished member and then chairman of the 
Committee on Banking and Financial Services, Henry B. made his mark as 
a champion of the less fortunate and crusader against corruption. The 
71 bills he managed as chair included legislation to protect depositors 
and punish those who sought to cheat the system.
  We could list the amount of legislation of his accomplishments, but 
it would take hours. Our Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez represents more 
than just a list of achievements. He represents those values that we 
espouse and cherish but rarely realize ourselves. Henry B. stands for 
honesty and independence and he embodies the passion for his 
constituents.
  My colleagues, take note, Congressman Gonzalez has served more than 
37 years in this House, and I will tell my colleagues why, because he 
believes and he stood for those beliefs. He spoke his mind even when it 
was unpopular to do so. He stood by his constituents even when he faced 
great challenges. As a song from Frank Sinatra goes, he did it his way.
  Henry B. boasts one other great accomplishment, and we should take 
note of this. He and his wife Bertha will be celebrating their 58th 
wedding anniversary next month. They are blessed with 8 children, more 
than 20 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
  I look forward to working next year with Charlie Gonzalez when he 
joins us as a representative of the 20th Congressional District.
  Compadre Gonzalez, I am honored to serve in this great House with 
you. We will miss you, and I know that we will not forget you. You will 
be in our minds.
  I want to take this opportunity to quote a couple of items from the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) as he has given me a couple of things 
to say.
  One of the items that he mentions is he remembers Henry B. Gonzalez, 
both not only in terms of as we recognize him tonight, but as a 
lifetime of service to this country.
  We must admire a man who hails soft and punches a fellow in his face 
in a restaurant because he has called him a Communist. Henry B. tells 
it like it is. He has been a bur on the saddle of the Presidents that 
have gone before us.
  He has occasionally annoyed his colleagues with his never-give-up 
attitude. He is much loved. He has been much loved throughout his 
career by his constituents friends and those of us who have had the 
privilege of serving with him.
  Congressman Ortiz continues by saying I remember a friend telling me 
that she was a little girl whose mother worked with Henry B. on his 
first campaign, and she recalled the raw excitement about the campaigns 
that Henry B. used to have, and elated about the victory.
  She was also so proud when she and her mother was invited to 
Washington to see him sworn in. She did not make it, and she said she 
still had little, was a little angry because they were not able to 
attend. But she recalls she came up here to Washington in the 1980s at 
a dinner one night and talks about the fact that, as she went up to 
Congressman Ortiz, he asked her, you know, who would you like to meet, 
the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, a movie 
star. Well she just said and looked, I would just want to meet Henry 
Gonzalez. She finally got to meet Henry. And as she recalls, she had 
tears in her eyes.
  With that, I just want to just indicate, Congressman Gonzalez, you 
have been a role model to me and for many others I know. I admire you 
for your integrity, your convictions, your strong work ethic, your 
dedication to your constituents.

                              {time}  2030

  Thank you for your service and your dedication. Muchas gracias.
  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I would like to recognize 
that our good friend and colleague, Henry B. Gonzalez, has joined us on 
the floor of the House, and tonight, a number of Members are using the 
remainder of this hour to talk about his achievements and pay both 
honor and respect to him for his many years in service, not just in 
Congress, but also to the people of Texas as a city council member, a 
State senator, and later on this evening I will read from some articles 
that we have received over the years on Henry B.
  As Chairman of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, he 
led the efforts to repair the savings and loan industry and help stop 
the crisis from spreading to our banks by overhauling the deposit 
insurance system. Congressman Gonzalez has been a burr under the 
Federal Reserve saddle for many years. He is responsible for the Fed's 
shift to a restricted money policy and for the release of monetary 
policy proceedings.
  Henry B. Gonzalez has been a crusader on behalf of our environment. 
In

[[Page H10346]]

1990, the American General Insurance Company wanted to build a $2.5 
billion tourist attraction on the Padre Island National Seashore, which 
we consider a Texas treasure. Through intense lobbying, they attempted 
to exclude Padre Island from the protection of the Coastal Barrier Act, 
known as our Wetlands Act. Henry B., using his influence and power of 
persuasion, saved this beachfront for its natural beauty for the next 
generations of Texans.
  I find it awkward, Mr. Speaker, for me to be standing here as a 
third-term Member of Congress, because as a State House member in the 
1970s and the 1980s, I used to consider Henry B. the king of the 
Special Orders, because I watched him many times extolling the problems 
that he saw for our country. Again, just like I mentioned earlier, in 
requiring the President to get the permission of Congress before having 
our troops in foreign military action in the case of Lebanon, he 
introduced a resolution, and again, Congress should have listened to 
him because 3 days after Congressman Gonzalez' last statement was the 
loss of lives of the marines in Beirut.
  I have a lot I would like to talk about this evening, but I would 
like to yield to my colleague, another colleague from Texas, 
Congressman Jim Turner, who again served with me in the State senate 
and enjoyed the portrait in the State Capitol. I mentioned earlier 
there are only 2 State senators who have their portrait in the State 
Capitol: Henry B. Gonzalez, this gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner), and 
also Barbara Jordan, who is your contemporary and whom you served with.
  I would like to yield time to my colleague from Texas (Mr. Turner).
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) 
for leading us in this Special Order this evening honoring our dear 
friend and colleague, Henry B. Gonzalez. I, much like the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Green), as I was a younger man and I heard the name, 
Henry B. Gonzalez, a name that always stood for a man who worked hard 
in the Congress for little people.
  I know that Henry comes from a background where he understood how 
important it is for someone to have affordable housing. He came from a 
background that understood that quality education was the key to moving 
up in life. It is an honor for me to stand here tonight as a freshman 
member of this body and honor a colleague and friend who has served 
over four decades in these halls.
  Henry B. had what many might consider a very daunting and difficult 
task in that he served as dean of the congressional delegation from 
Texas, oftentimes a rowdy group. But my colleague from Texas rose to 
that occasion and led because of his many years of experience in these 
halls.
  The congressional career of Henry B. Gonzalez is indeed a 
distinguished one, both in terms of his longevity and in terms of his 
accomplishments. He was first Mexican-American elected to serve the 
State of Texas in the United States House of Representatives, the son 
of Mexican immigrants. Henry B. Gonzalez served Texans in the Texas 
State Senate as well as in the U.S. House, and he went on to serve 
three terms as chairman of the Committee on Banking and Financial 
Services. His work to overhaul the deposit insurance system and to 
repair the savings and loan industry were instrumental to the banking 
industry and to the consumers of this country.
  He was a vocal advocate for affordable housing, and he worked for 
many, many years for lower income American families to ensure that they 
had access to safe quality housing. He knew how important it was for 
someone to have a place that they could call home, a place that they 
could live in with pride. He knew what it meant for American families 
to be able to enjoy the benefits of homeownership.
  Henry B. Gonzalez has always been a fighter. He never turned his back 
when he knew there was an issue of importance that he needed to stand 
up for. He had that kind of reputation in this Congress; he had that 
reputation in Texas; he had that reputation in his community.
  I salute a great American, a great Texan, Congressman Henry B. 
Gonzalez. I thank you, Henry, for your years of service, for your 
leadership, for your compassion on behalf of the issues that you knew 
were important to the little people in this country. For the people who 
did not have a voice, you spoke for them. For that, we are eternally 
grateful.
  We are sorry to see you leave our ranks. We will miss you as a 
friend, we will miss your leadership in this body, and I share with my 
colleagues our congratulations to you for your distinguished service, 
and we wish you well in your new ventures along the way.
  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and reclaiming my 
time, as Democratic Members of the House, we are well aware of Henry 
B.'s efforts on behalf of the Democratic party for many years. He was 
an articulate spokesman in presidential politics since 1960 when he 
served as the national cochair of the Viva Kennedy campaign.
  I first remember reading about Congressman Gonzalez because I admired 
him so long before I met him. In 1956, he was elected to a 4-year term 
in the Texas State Senate, becoming the first Mexican-American to gain 
a seat in that body in 110 years. He soon attracted international 
attention when, with a colleague, he staged the longest filibuster in 
the history of Texas. There were 10 race bills under consideration in 
which Senator Gonzalez at that time opposed. He said at the time, and I 
quote, ``It may be some kind of chloroform for their conscience, but if 
we fear long enough, we hate, and if we hate long enough, we fight.''
  Eight of the bills were defeated because of Senator Gonzalez. One of 
those passed was later declared unconstitutional, and in 5 years in the 
Texas Senate, he clearly identified with the poor, opposing sales taxes 
and rising tuition costs, while favoring some clearance and controls on 
lobbyists long before it was in vogue.
  I am proud to honor Henry B. Gonzalez. When I was running for 
Congress in 1992 in my district in the east end and north side of 
Houston, I had a number of people who had served as precinct judges for 
many years in my community, and they would come up to me and say, if 
all you ever do is walk in the shadow of Henry B. Gonzalez and walk in 
his footsteps, that is the kind of Congressman we want you to be.

                              {time}  2040

  That was such a great honor. I say to the gentleman from Texas, Henry 
B., I have some constituents who are the gentleman's longtime friends, 
A.V. Almos is still a precinct judge, and Cruz Injos and his family. We 
have a group called the Old Timers Club which has been meeting for many 
years, and they were part of the nucleus of the group in 1961 when you 
ran for the U.S. Senate and made it a close race.
  With that, I tell the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez), we are 
glad to share this night with him.
  Let me talk about one of Henry B. Gonzalez's famous stands. He wanted 
to be a voice and not an echo. On a recent Friday afternoon, Henry B. 
Gonzalez received a standing ovation from his colleagues who not only 
heard his speech, but they cheered him afterwards. Henry was caught by 
some tricky parliamentary maneuver. A Republican Member of Congress, 
angry at the Democrats' tactics, unexpectedly moved to adjourn. Now in 
the minority, we understand how that happens, Mr. Speaker.
  With his speech in hand, our Texas congressman demanded a rollcall. 
Surprised colleagues showed up and voted 213 to 99 to let Congressman 
Gonzalez speak. When the Chair finally recognize him, Congressman 
Gonzalez responded, ``Mr. Speaker, overwhelmed by the popular demand to 
be heard,'' and the Chamber was filled with laughter.
  Before launching into his attacks lambasting President Reagan for his 
actions in Grenada, Congressman Gonzalez explained why he spoke so 
frequently, often several times a week. A House member, he said, has 
only two real powers: one is to register his vote, and the other one is 
his voice. Congressman Gonzalez has been a voice and not an echo.
  Congressman Gonzalez at that time assured his colleagues that 
speechmaking did not evolve after House activities becoming televised. 
In fact, he claims the heart of his district was still without cable, 
because at that time it was only cable coverage. Now

[[Page H10347]]

we have C-Span, but back at that time there was only cable.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Austin, Texas (Mr. 
Doggett), who also served in the State Senate. It is almost an alumni 
club. In fact, the gentleman was in Senate when Congressman Gonzalez's 
portrait was hung in 1976.
  Mr. DOGGETT. I was, indeed, Mr. Speaker. We will soon have enough for 
kind of a quorum here of the Texas State Senate, as we gather here not 
on the banks of the Colorado but on the banks of the Potomac, to honor 
someone whose effects on Americans has stretched across this great 
Nation.
  It is certainly fitting that we would gather here to do that on what 
is called Special Orders, because I know even in my short time here in 
Congress, I have seen Congressman Gonzalez come and make use of special 
orders to convey a message, perhaps to a few Members assembled at the 
moment here in the House, but to convey a message all across America to 
alert the country to some particular problem on which we needed 
additional focus, and to remind the Members of their duty to the 
ordinary people of this country who have made it the greatest land in 
the world.
  I think that it is undoubted that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Henry 
B. Gonzalez) is leaving an indelible mark, not only on this 
institution, the United States House of Representatives, but on our 
entire country.
  Some would point, as my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Green) has done, in providing leadership here tonight for this special 
order, to his triumphs in banking and housing. Others remember him as a 
champion of open government, and our friend, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Barney Frank), refers to his demystifying, if that 
can be done, of the Federal Reserve Bank more than anybody in history. 
It is still a little bit of a mystery, but he has made some good 
headway on it.
  All of us know that Henry B. Is a man of extraordinary principle, 
unparalleled courage, and of dogged determination. Some would probably 
say if it is dogged determination, it is bullheaded determination. But 
he was in there, willing to do what was right, no matter whether there 
was anybody else willing to stand with him or not.
  In 1994, in recognition of his courage, the prestigious Profile in 
Courage award was presented to Congressman Gonzalez as a shining 
example of public service that was epitomized in the book ``Profiles in 
Courage,'' that the late President Kennedy authored, described as one 
``. . . whose abiding loyalty to their Nation triumphed over all 
personal and political considerations, who showed the real meaning of 
courage, and a real faith in democracy.'' I think that is a good 
summary of the career of Congressman Gonzalez. It expresses our 
feelings, I know, from Texas about him.
  He received this award for initiating a series of spectacular 
hearings on the savings and loan crisis, and writing sweeping 
legislation to try to clean up the chaos and reform this industry.
  He was also honored by this award for his courageous investigation 
into the sale of U.S. arms to Iraq by top officials of the Reagan and 
Bush administrations. It took courage to stand and do that when many 
others were trying to brush the lies and the conspiracy aside, and he 
did that, and all of America is the beneficiary.
  As one previous recipient of the Profiles in Courage award remarked, 
``For the scientist, the moment is the Nobel; for the journalist, it is 
the Pulitzer; the actor, the Oscar; but for those in government, it is 
the Kennedy, and it is with that high award that Congressman Gonzalez 
has received special recognition.
  When placed in the context of his total public service career, 
beginning with his successful campaign as a college student to bring 
public housing to San Antonio, it is almost impossible to determine 
which accomplishment is the most significant.
  But knowing him as we do from Texas, I think we have to agree that 
one accomplishment that we have not yet discussed tonight ranks very 
high in a very special way. That is that he was able to balance his 
service to other people's families and other children around this 
country with being a good father and having a family of some eight 
children.
  What can be more fitting than the legacy of Henry B. Gonzalez, that 
as he departs Washington, one of his sons will be coming to join us in 
this body. Charlie Gonzalez I knew as a Member of the Texas judiciary 
during my service on the Supreme Court, and prior to that time. I know 
that he has been a teacher, a legal aid worker, and a district judge, 
and that, like his father, he is passionate about public service.
  I salute Congressman Gonzalez for the role that he has played, not 
only as a public servant but as a father and a family leader who lived 
the values that he has preached and recognized from this forum and 
across the country.
  When we look back on his career, as the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Green) has done in reminding us of what Texas was like in the 1950s, 
and how very tough it was to go as the first Mexican-American into what 
was an all-male and all-Anglo Texas Senate, and in one of the times of 
that Senate which is not one in which we can see any particular pride, 
when there were some people there who were unwilling to accept 
opportunity for all of our citizens, who were insistent on passing a 
set of laws to oppose the whole concept that the Supreme Court had 
advanced of equality of opportunity in our school system, that 
Congressman Gonzalez stood and would not let that tide of bigotry 
overwhelm him and overwhelm the people of Texas, but he stood as one 
force for the people, for equality, for equal opportunity.

  As we reflect on his historic role in Texas and in this entire 
country, I think it is important to remember that he never forgot that 
while he pulled himself up by his bootstraps, that there were many 
other people out there who had no boots.
  He has fought for those people, he has fought for America. He is a 
man with the courage of his convictions to do what is right, and Texas 
will lose not only the dean of our delegation with his departure from 
Washington, but we will lose someone who has set the very highest 
standards for integrity, for determination, and for making government 
work for all of us.
  ``I do not know where we will be without Henry B.,'' is I am sure 
something that is being said in many parts of Texas. But we know that 
he will provide, by his example of leadership, a model that we will 
follow and emulate in the years ahead.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) for his 
leadership in doing this tonight, because I think it is really historic 
to record the accomplishments and the contributions of our colleague, 
Henry B. Gonzalez. I consider it one of my greatest honors here in 
Congress to serve with a man of his caliber and character.
  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from 
Travis County, Austin, Texas, and a great friend. We served together, 
and I was a State representative when he was in the State Senate in 
1976, when Congressman Gonzalez portrait was hung.
  Let me quote: At that time Governor Dolph Briscoe called Congressman 
Gonzalez a truly dedicated public servant, and said he is gaining more 
influence yearly in the Texas delegation. He said, there are two types 
of Congressmen, and to this day that is still true. One is a show horse 
and the other is a workhorse, Governor Briscoe said, and certainly 
Congressman Gonzalez is a workhorse. I think that is a tribute not only 
in 1976, but also in 1998 to Congressman Gonzalez.
  There are lots of great stories on Henry B. that I have learned over 
my lifetime in Texas. One of them is his first run for Congress in 
1961.
  Coming off the Viva Kennedy co-chair on a national basis, at that 
time Vice President Lyndon Johnson insisted he would not become 
involved in trying to tell the Baird County voters how to vote.

                              {time}  2050

  And after that, he issued a strong endorsement of Congressman 
Gonzalez's candidacy in the San Antonio Express. The doors slammed shut 
for all practical purposes on Congressman Gonzalez' Democratic 
opponent. Vice President Johnson then neutralized the other opponents 
by his endorsement.
  So, again, Henry B. you run with lots of folks in Texas who I have 
admired for many years, including Vice President and President Lyndon 
Johnson.
  Henry B. has been known for his tenacity. We know that because it has 
been said tonight about his tenacity on

[[Page H10348]]

special orders, but tenacity on issue after issue. It came as a 
surprise to some of us, but part of Henry B.'s success and tenacity is 
that he introduced a bill in 1965 to provide $50,000 survivor's 
benefits for law enforcement agents and firemen killed in the line of 
duty. Eleven years later, after the riots in the 1960s, this became 
law.
  Henry B. has been derided by opponents for the speeches he makes to 
an almost empty Chamber of the House. The Congressman has made in the 
neighborhood of thousands of speeches. In 1984, he had given 2,200 
speeches in the House at that time in 23 years, making him the most 
prolific speaker in the House. His speeches under special orders are 
duly recorded in the Congressional Quarterly and his newsletters to his 
constituents. That was before C-SPAN, before we had nationwide 
coverage. Congressman Gonzalez was there making sure that his 
constituents were heard and he was representing his job as a Member of 
Congress.
  He is productive by the number of bills that he passed in Congress. 
Many times other Members from Texas could not pass legislation, but 
Congressman Gonzalez was the chief bill-passer in the State of Texas 
for Members of Congress. Again, that is a challenge some of us would 
like to be.
  Congressman Gonzalez, and again, my honor to him is he is considered 
one of the last great populists. It is a classic performance. A man 
better known as Henry B. or simply as HBG. Depending on who you ask he 
is either feisty, colorful or combative, or an eccentric that is looked 
upon with tolerance.
  But for his constituents in Texas, he has been a fighter and a 
populist for their needs and their desires for many years in Congress. 
We talked about his serving in the Senate and fighting the race-baiting 
bills in the late 1950s. But he also introduced the first minimum wage 
bill in the State Senate and it was 40 cents an hour in the 1950s. It 
is just an honor that I had the opportunity during my three terms of 
Congress to serve with him.
  Congressman Gonzalez' individuality has paid a price. Although widely 
revered in San Antonio and an icon in Texas, he is sometimes known in 
Congress as a loner and a maverick who charts his own course. And I do 
not think there is a better honor to you than that you are your own 
man, and you have been for 45 years in public service.
  He speaks out on issues. He is one that never is hesitant to stand up 
for both his ideas, but also the people he represents.
  Many years ago, and this has happened a number of times, I have 
admired him for being a fighter for his constituents. In 1963, there 
was a time when a Representative Foreman from Odessa was outside the 
House Chamber and accused Congressman Gonzalez of being a ``communist'' 
and a ``pinko,'' and Congressman Gonzalez challenged him. And those 
stories are endless.
  I remember one story when I was in the House of Representatives in 
Austin when Henry B. was in a restaurant in San Antonio and someone at 
the next table called him a communist and he got up and decked that 
person.
  Obviously, he represents Texas very well and a lot of us have learned 
many things, both in his feistiness, but also in his beliefs. He will 
stand by his beliefs and fight for his beliefs. And he has done so many 
great things. Let me mention just one thing.
  In 1968, I was in college and I had the opportunity to go to San 
Antonio. My wife and I were not married at that time, but both of us 
were University of Houston students. And, of course, at that time one 
would not go out of town overnight with their best girl. My wife and I 
got on a bus from Houston and took the bus from Houston to San Antonio 
Texas to go to the HemisFair, and HemisFair was in San Antonio because 
of Congressman Gonzalez. And it brought international acclaim and 
literally opened up the city, and I am still proud to go to San Antonio 
today and see the Henry B. Gonzalez Courthouse that is in the HemisFair 
grounds that he triumphed back in his first years in Congress.
  There are so many stories, Mr. Speaker, but not only Members from 
Texas but Members who served with Congressman Gonzalez on the Committee 
on Banking, the Members of the Hispanic Caucus.
  I am proud to honor a man who has worked and improved the quality of 
life for men and women not just in his district and not just in the 
State of Texas, but throughout our country. I have been fortunate and 
we have been fortunate to have a Member like Henry B. Gonzalez to serve 
as our colleague, our friend, and our Dean of the Texas delegation.
  Before I close, I would like to mention his wife of 58 years, Bertha 
Cuellar Gonzalez, originally from Floresville, but 58 years of 
marriage. I thought my wife and I at 28 years had been married many 
years, but hopefully we will make 58. Fifty-eight years of marriage and 
love.
  The reason Henry B. could not come back earlier was because he knows 
who the boss is in our households, and his wife was making sure that 
Henry B.'s health was well enough for him to come back and continue his 
duties as a Member of Congress. Both the love of your wife and family, 
and also the love of your fellow Members of Congress and your 
constituents is the best tribute more than we can ever say here on the 
floor of this House.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by saying that if I could just 
walk in his shadow and fill part of his shoes, I will consider myself 
to be a successful Member of Congress.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to participate in 
today's tribute to the Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez.
  A maverick, a pioneer, a man of conviction--there aren't too many 
people I would use these words to describe. The deal of our delegation, 
however, is one such individual.
  Our distinguished dean came to the House of Representatives in 1961, 
before any other Hispanics were elected from the State of Texas.
  He laid the foundation for those of us who have since followed.
  For all you have done--for your constituents--for the Hispanic 
community--for the underprivileged--for all Americans--I want to say 
thank you.
  In the brief time I have been in Congress, I unfortunately have not 
had the good fortune to be able to work closely with you. But I am well 
acquainted with your remarkable achievements.
  It is because of the commitment you have always demonstrated that I 
know why it is so important to work tirelessly for the causes and 
issues we believe in.
  You have taught us why we must be dedicated to the pursuit of 
excellence.
  You have shown how goals are, indeed, attainable, but not always easy 
to achieve.
  More importantly, you have shown that within each and every one of us 
there is the potential to make a real difference in the world we live 
in, but that to make such a difference, one must be involved.
  Chairman Gonzalez, you have made Congress a better place--you have 
made Texas a better place--and you have made America a better place.
  I began my remarks by saying you were a maverick, a pioneer, a man of 
conviction. I want to close them by saying it would be more accurate to 
say you are indeed a legend.
  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I am especially pleased to join with my 
colleagues in honoring the renowned dean of the Texas delegation, the 
Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez of the Twentieth District of that great 
state.
  My colleagues, as the long-time Chairman of the Banking Committee, 
Henry was well known for his tough stance during the savings and loan 
investment scandals, and for his many attempts to consolidate banking 
regulations. His wide-ranging and perceptive special orders on 
international banking practices and malpractices could well constitute 
in themselves an indispensable textbook on the history of modern 
financial structures, consortia, monopolies, trusts, etc. Surely Henry 
ought to be welcomed back to the University of Texas or to St. Mary's 
University in a special chair as professor of economics. Our present 
loss in his departure, then, would be a real gain for young Texas 
students.
  The people of Texas can attest to Henry's strong record in support of 
civil rights and especially in developing housing programs for the 
poor. His colleagues in Congress know that whatever this hard-working 
Texan was determined to do, it was done with dedication and a kind of 
dogged perseverance which could well be emulated by many of those of us 
who will remain in the House.
  In many ways Henry has been a kind of grand institution on this Hill, 
a genial father figure for many younger members; and those of us on the 
other side of the aisle have long come to respect him as a man of 
determined principle and especially as one whom we know to have served 
his district constituents admirably well. Obviously San Antonio will be

[[Page H10349]]

glad to see more of Henry in his retirement, but we hope that we, too, 
will be able once in a while see him on the House floor renewing 
friendships and giving wise counsel to those of us still struggling 
with the complexities of legislation, and worrying, as he so often did, 
about what is best for all Americans.
  Henry, we wish you the very best in your sell-deserved retirement in 
that exciting city of San Antonio--your town--and we have to say that 
it has been more than a privilege to have been your colleague during 
all these interesting and important years, when your judgment and 
dedication contributed so much to what we all have accomplished. God 
bless, Henry Gonzalez, and Godspeed.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank these gentlemen for taking the time 
to honor a giant of Texas politics, Henry B. Gonzalez.
  To see the future, you must stand on the shoulders of giants. I, and 
many Texans elected after Henry Gonzalez was elected, have seen the 
future--and the future promises more Hispanics to Congress from Texas.
  This giant has been an inspiration for young men and women who aspire 
to excellence in public office. Young Henry Gonzalez, who learned 
business at his father's side, has spent virtually his entire life in 
public service.
  He is a maverick who, while recognizing the significance of being the 
first Hispanic elected to national office from Texas, respectfully 
declined to be labeled only as a Hispanic during his term of service. 
Realizing the importance of being part of the mainstream in the United 
States, he wanted only to be known as a legislator, and as a Texan.
  We remember him as both those things tonight, and we thank him for 
the lifetime of service he gave to our country. You must admire a man 
who hauls off and punches a fellow in the face in a restaurant because 
he called him a communist.
  Henry B.'s tell-it-like-it-is-style has been a burr under the saddle 
of presidents; he has occasionally annoyed his colleagues with a never-
give-up-attitude; and he is much loved, and has been much lived, 
throughout his career by his constituents, friends and those of us who 
have been privileged to serve as his colleagues in this august body.
  I remember a friend telling me that she was a little girl whose 
mother worked in Henry B.'s first campaign and she recalled the raw 
excitement about the campaign, and the elation of the victory. She was 
so proud when she and her mother were invited to Washingon to see him 
sworn in. Well, she didn't make it and she said she's still a little 
mad at her mom for coming here without her.
  She came up here to work in Washington in the 1980s and at dinner one 
night, I asked her who she would like to meet--the President of the 
United States, the Speaker of the House, a movie star--Well, she wanted 
to meet Henry Gonzalez. She finally got to meet Henry Gonzalez, and she 
had tears in her eyes after they spoke.
  There is not a way to qualify your legacy, mi amigo. You served your 
country well and showed all of those who followed you the path to 
success. Thank you.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute to a friend, 
a colleague, and a great American. After a highly distinguished career 
in public service, representing San Antonio, Texas, Henry B. Gonzalez 
will be retiring from Congress at the end of the year.
  In 1961, Henry Gonzalez began his congressional career with a bang--
becoming the first Mexican-American elected to the U.S. House of 
Representatives from the State of Texas. Henry never allowed this 
institution to shape his thoughts and actions. He was always his own 
man fighting the good fight.
  Mr. Speaker, when I was first elected to the House in 1982, Henry 
Gonzalez had already made his mark on this august body. His leadership 
on a variety of national issues affecting his constituents, the 
Hispanic community in general, and the nation as a whole are legendary.
  During his congressional tenure, Henry served as chairman of the 
committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs from 1989 to 1994. In 
his capacity as chairman, Henry successfully promoted legislation 
guaranteeing depositors a safe place to put their savings. He 
championed measures facilitating small business access to credit and 
strengthened the laws against money laundering and bank fraud.
  Under his leadership, the Banking Committee held countless number of 
hearings on the Bush administration's pre-war Iraq policy. Henry 
vigorously investigated the scandal, involving the Bank of Commerce and 
Credit International, and he took the lead in shedding light on the 
savings and loan debacle of the 1980's.
  Throughout his distinguished public service, Henry has championed the 
causes of urban and economic development, affordable housing and civil 
rights. I'm certain that Henry must have broken the Congressional 
Record for endurance on special orders. I vividly remember how he would 
tirelessly take to the floor night after night exposing government 
incompetence, waste and abuse.
  I salute you Henry. I salute your integrity and leadership. You will 
be sorely missed.
  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute today and 
participate in this special order for Representative Henry B. Gonzalez. 
From one retiring Member of Congress to another, I would like to wish 
him the best of luck in whatever lies ahead of him. May Henry's life be 
in retirement as fruitful as it has been these last 37 years as a 
Member of Congress. Henry B. Gonzalez is an honorable man of impeccable 
character who has served as a role model for Latinos across the nation, 
including me. He served as Chairman of the Banking Committee and helped 
assure his constituency and Latinos across the nation were well served 
in his committee. Under his chairmanship, sound public policy, ranging 
from guaranteeing depositors a safe place to put their savings to 
reauthorizing federal housing laws were written and passed.
  What can I say is the most remarkable thing about Henry B? I can say 
that he had an unstoppable fighting spirit and a well developed sense 
of independence. Henry B. will always stand for his causes, even if he 
stands alone. He will literally fight for what he thinks is right, and 
we all know that to be a fact. He is a great man to admire and emulate, 
and he will be missed.
  Henry B. Gonzalez has been, to me and the other members of the 
Congressional Hispanic Caucus, what we call in Spanish a ``padrino,'' a 
godfather. In Mexican heritage a ``padrino'' is the person bestowed 
with the honor of looking after a child and be responsible for the good 
and moral upbringing of that child. As the ``padrino,'' Henry B. is the 
one we came to for advise when we wanted to something, and the one we 
came to for help when we did it wrong. As a Member of Congress, I am 
what I am because of Henry B., all his advice, and my secret desire to 
emulate him. Henry, you raised us well. Henry, I tried my best to 
emulate you and I hope you're proud of me.
  Henry, I wish the best of luck to you, Bertha, your children, 
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Goodby and godspeed.
  Henry B., we will miss you. We will miss your tenacity, your fighter 
spirit, your independence. But you have set a course for a lot of us 
who are now serving in Congress to try to follow in your footsteps.

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