[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 150 (Thursday, December 7, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN HENRY B. GONZALEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a remarkable man and true 
American patriot, former Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez. He passed away 
on November 28, 2000 at the age of 84, after 37 years of dedicated 
service in the House of Representatives.
  ``Henry B,'' as his friends affectionately called him, was first 
elected to Congress in 1961, becoming the first person of Mexican-
American heritage to represent Texas in the House. A well-known 
champion of the poor and the downtrodden, Henry B. fiercely defended 
his principles and was unafraid to stand up against the powerful from 
the moment he was sworn into office. To this day, his constituents in 
San Antonio and thousands of people across the country continue to reap 
the benefits of this courageous fight for safe and affordable housing.
  An unabashed pioneer for populism, Henry B. was perhaps best known 
for his prominent position on the Banking Committee, and its Chairman 
for three terms. He used his leadership role on the committee to help 
repair the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., monitor the activities of 
the Federal Reserve System and pass numerous pieces of legislation 
aimed at cleaning up the savings and loan scandal.
  Henry B. began his legendary political career shortly after his 
admirable service in World War II, when he was elected to the San 
Antonio City Council. In 1957, he reached the Texas Senate where he 
made a name for himself with a 22-hour filibuster to block legislation 
that would have reinforced school segregation policies. Henry B.'s 
reputation as a staunch defender of civil rights stayed with him 
throughout his career in the House, spanning nearly four decades.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my fellow colleagues to join me today in 
remembering the Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez. Henry B. truly set a 
standard by which all Members of Congress can be measured, and he will 
be sorely missed by everyone in this body who had the pleasure of 
working with him. His honor, his vision, and his passion for equality 
will live forever in the hearts of all those whom he touched. I would 
also like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt condolences 
to Representative Charlie Gonzalez and his family during this extremely 
difficult time.

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