[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         HONORING ED GOTTHARDT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2010

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions 
of the late Ed Gotthardt, former Mayor of Seguin, Texas. Mayor 
Gotthardt served the community through his distinguished business 
career and great service as mayor for two terms in Seguin, Texas.
  Mayor Gotthardt was born on January 1929 in Galle, Texas and passed 
away of natural causes February 2010 in New Braunfels, Texas. His 
accomplished lifetime as a businessman and mayor stemmed from his 
humble beginnings. His childhood was spent on a farm in Galle in a town 
between Seguin and San Marcos where he learned about produce. He 
received his education in the public schools of Guadalupe County, where 
he graduated from high school. At the age of twenty-one, the late 
Gotthardt was hired as a produce worker at a local grocery store. With 
a twelfth grade education, he rose through the ranks to store manager, 
unit director, to the corporate office as a buyer and then as Vice 
President of Produce Marketing. In the 1980s, he retired having lived 
during his career throughout the area in Seguin, San Antonio, and 
Corpus Christi. The late Gotthardt had a thirty-seven year career in 
the grocery business before serving two three-year terms as Mayor. 
After his retirement, he later served as President of the H-E-B grocery 
store retirees' organization.
  In 1990, Gotthardt announced that he planned to run for mayor of 
Seguin. He had not previously held any position in public office, but 
his involvement with the community and commitment to the people of 
Seguin aided to his election. His re-election was without opposition, 
serving as mayor until 1996. During his time in office, Mayor Gotthardt 
contributed to the city by ensuring that the Sebastopol State 
Historical Park in Seguin was renovated and dedicated much of his work 
for those who served their country in the military. He worked on the 
Veterans Memorial at the Guadalupe County Courthouse extensively. The 
late Mayor Gotthardt was recognized for his tireless efforts to ensure 
the community and people were provided the services needed.
  Along with his business career and terms as Mayor of Seguin, the late 
Gotthardt was a member of Seguin Masonic Lodge AF&AM 109, Alzafar 
Shrine, Elks Lodge 1229, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 555, the 
Seguin Chamber of Commerce, the Seguin Rotary Club and the Comal County 
Seniors Center. His leisure time was spent with the Seguin Chamber of 
Commerce, senior center, and with his family.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the 
late Ed Gotthardt, former Mayor of Seguin, Texas on his contributions 
to the community. I thank you for this time.

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