[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 78 (Friday, May 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PETE TORRES, JR., 1933-2007

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2007

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise 
today to recognize the passing of a true pioneer and champion of the 
common man. Pete Torres, Jr., was a great man who played a vital role 
in ensuring that everyone had a voice in their government. Mr. Torres 
passed away on Friday, April 27, 2007 at the age of 73. He was a 
friend, mentor, and inspiration to many in San Antonio, and he will be 
missed.
  It was the late 1960s when Mr. Torres made history in south Texas and 
San Antonio. Mr. Carlos Guerra of the San Antonio Express-News best 
described the climate and challenges that Mr. Torres faced.
  ``In the 1960s, virtually every South Texas city and town was firmly 
in the grip of some chamber-backed clique that was neither attuned to 
the concerns of regular people nor particularly interested in letting 
minority people speak for themselves.''
  ``San Antonio was hardly the exception,'' said Guerra.
  It was this climate in which Mr. Torres broke down barriers for the 
common man and took the San Antonio City Council by storm in 1967. At a 
time when the city council was run by a select group of privileged 
citizens who in no way accurately reflected the diversity and dynamic 
of the city of San Antonio, Mr. Torres was an agent of change. His 
election to the San Antonio City Council taught all of south Texas a 
lesson in governing by advocating for causes that benefited the 
majority of San Antonio's people, not a select few.
  While he served as a member of the San Antonio's City Council for 4 
short years, his impact transcended generations and is still felt 
today. After his public service career, he continued to represent the 
disenfranchised and vulnerable as an attorney who was respected and 
beloved by all. He will forever be remembered as a pioneer and champion 
of causes for the common man and minorities. While he will be missed, 
his legacy will live on and the extraordinary contributions he made to 
south Texas and San Antonio will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________