[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING CHIEF JUSTICE ALMA L. LOPEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2009

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Justice Alma 
L. Lopez, a public servant who has dedicated her professional and 
personal life to empowering Hispanics in the spheres of law, education 
and politics. Justice Lopez has been a passionate advocate, a dedicated 
jurist and kind friend to the San Antonio community.
  Born in Laredo, Texas, she moved to San Antonio, Texas, where she was 
raised and educated. Justice Lopez began her higher education at San 
Antonio College and then went on to graduate from St. Mary's University 
with a B.B.A. and from St. Mary's Law School with a J.D. She practiced 
law for 25 years, twenty of those as a solo practitioner prior to being 
appointed to the court. She credits her choice of the law as a career 
to her maternal grandmother, who noticed that even at the age of five 
she had the skills of a mediator and negotiator.
  Justice Lopez made history when she became the first Hispanic woman 
to serve on the Fourth Court of Appeals. She has been a true leader 
becoming the first Hispanic woman to serve as Chief Justice in the 
State of Texas, as well as the first Hispanic woman to serve as a Chief 
Justice in the United States.
  Justice Lopez has been a strong advocate for the Hispanic community 
serving on a number of local, state, and national boards of directors. 
She is committed to being a role model not just for Hispanic women, but 
for the entire community.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Chief 
Justice Alma Lopez as we celebrate and honor her career and outstanding 
contributions to the community. Her dedication to justice and the City 
of San Antonio are remarkable and I wish her continued success in all 
her future endeavors.

                          ____________________