[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF THE CAREER OF DR. JOSE HINOJOSA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a friend, a 
university professor, a renowned expert and the dean of the school of 
politics in south Texas, Dr. Jose Hinojosa. For a generation, Dr. 
Hinojosa has been the compass for anyone who hoped to navigate a 
political career in south Texas. Successful politicians, mayors, county 
judges, State senators and representatives and, yes, Members of this 
body, myself included, are all proud alumni of the Dr. Hinojosa school 
of public service.
  Dr. Hinojosa, after 26 years of service, has decided to retire. As a 
political science professor at the University of Texas Pan American, he 
is nationally recognized for his knowledge and expertise in the 
regional politics of south Texas. For Dr. Hinojosa, political science 
is not merely an academic exercise. It is about empowering the 
community he so dearly loves, the Mexican American community. To that 
end, Dr. Hinojosa established the School of Public Administration at 
the University of Texas Pan American. He knew that electing Hispanic 
leaders was only step one of the empowerment process. He helped build 
the intellectual infrastructure and knowledge base to make newly minted 
public officials successful in the art of governing.
  Dr. Hinojosa is a native of Jim Wells County and the son of the late 
Mr. and Mrs. Teodulo Hinojosa of Palito Blanco, a lovely community in 
central Texas, which is adorned with bluebonnets and many other 
wildflowers during the spring time. He earned his bachelor's and 
master's degrees from Texas A&I University, Kingsville, which is now 
Texas A&M University at Kingsville. He received his doctorate in 
government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame 
in Indiana.
  Over the course of his career, Dr. Hinojosa has taught at many 
prestigious institutions, including the University of Texas Pan 
American, the University of Texas at Austin, Ohio State University, and 
Notre Dame. He has been called to the service of Governors and 
Presidents. He served on the National Advisory Council for Ethnic 
Heritage Studies during President Carter's administration and on the 
Job Injury and Interagency Council Advisory Committee under Texas 
Governor Mark White.
  However, his greatest contributions have been felt in his home, south 
Texas. Dr. Hinojosa is an outstanding teacher, whether to students 
enrolled in a political science course or to candidates for public 
office. His enthusiasm for public service and for the democratic 
process is infectious and he has inspired thousands of people, young 
and not so young, to participate in our democracy. His voice, even 
after a bout with throat cancer costing him the use of his vocal cords, 
has always been a call to action. From the difficult days of 
segregation after World War II to today, Dr. Hinojosa has maintained an 
unshakeable faith in the people of south Texas. One only has to visit 
the Rio Grande Valley to see the progress that Dr. Hinojosa has 
fostered and cultivated since the first Hispanic county judge was 
elected in Hidalgo County in 1970. Today, the Lower Rio Grande Valley 
is one of the four fastest growing and most dynamic regions in the 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Hinojosa has decided to retire. He will be sorely 
missed in the halls of college campuses and the halls of government; 
but I know that his wife, his children, and grandchildren have great 
plans for him.

                              {time}  1430

  Dr. Hinojosa has taught us well, and the number of Hispanics seeking 
to win Federal elected positions will continue to skyrocket thanks to 
him.
  In conclusion, I ask all Members of Congress to join me in commending 
Dr. Jose Hinojosa for his exceptional career and contributions to the 
great State of Texas and our Nation.

                          ____________________