[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE REYNALDO G. GARZA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2001

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the service of 
the Honorable Judge Reynaldo G. Garza, a patriot from South Texas who 
has served our community and our country for 40 years on the federal 
bench. This weekend, Judge Garza will be honored for his nearly half-
century of service.
  Judge Garza practiced law in Brownsville before enlisting in the 
United States Air Force during World War II. He resumed his law 
practice after the war and was appointed to the United States District 
Court for the Southern District of Texas in 1961 by the late President 
John F. Kennedy. He was the first Hispanic jurist to be appointed to 
the federal bench in South Texas. By 1974 he was the Chief Judge for 
the Southern District of Texas. Just five years later, President Jimmy 
Carter appointed him to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  Judge Garza's deep devotion to education has always been a common 
thread running throughout his life and service. In front of young 
audiences, he recalls what his father told his children on his death 
bed. His father told them he did not leave them wealth, but he did 
leave with a good education, something that no one could ever take 
away. Judge Garza has also said many times, ``I do not worry about an 
educated man in my court for he knows how to take care of himself. I do 
worry about the uneducated one who is the victim of unscrupulous people 
who are always trying to take advantage.''
  Judge Garza sought political office twice before becoming a Federal 
Judge. In 1941 he was elected to the School Board of the Brownsville 
Independent School District, and in 1947, he was elected City 
Commissioner of the City of Brownsville. He served on the Texas 
Education Standards Committee and the Committee of Twenty-Five on 
Education Beyond the High School, which resulted in the creation of the 
Coordinating Board of Colleges and Universities. He also served as a 
member of the Select Committee on Higher Education.
  His interest in international affairs is evident by his service on 
the Latin-American Relations Committee of the Brownsville Chamber of 
Commerce, and on the Valley Chamber of Commerce. He is also one of the 
original members of the International Good Neighbor Council. He is an 
active member of our community, serving as President of the Brownsville 
Rotary Club, director of the United Fund of Brownsville, treasurer of 
the Cameron County Child Welfare Board, and a member of the Advisory 
Board of the Rio Grande Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
  This talented jurist has a talented family. He and his lovely wife 
Bertha have five children: Reynaldo Jr., David, Ygnacio, Bertha 
Elizondo and Monica. They are attorneys, accountants, teachers and 
public servants. Judge Garza's family is a reflection of his work ethic 
and love of country.
  I ask the Members of the United States House of Representatives to 
join me today in commending Judge Reynaldo G. Garza, a pioneer in our 
community, as we commemorate his 40 years of service in our federal 
judiciary.

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