[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 24 (Monday, February 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING WILLIAM ``BILL'' SINKIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 10, 2014

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late 
William ``Bill'' Sinkin, a truly remarkable citizen of San Antonio. 
Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Sinkin dedicated himself to improving and 
serving the city of San Antonio.
  For almost 70 years, Mr. Sinkin dedicated his life to civic 
accomplishments and advocating for all citizens of San Antonio. He had 
a true passion for people, diversity, and innovation. Mr. Sinkin helped 
put San Antonio on the map as a tourist destination with his leadership 
role in creating HemisFair, a celebration of San Antonio's 250th 
anniversary and the first world fair to be held in Texas. Mr. Sinkin 
had a first-hand role in the redevelopment of HemisFair Park which 
eventually led to the Institute of Texan cultures, the Convention 
Center, and the River Walk.
  Mr. Sinkin was a groundbreaking chairman of the San Antonio Housing 
Authority where he added 2,500 new housing units to the city, promoted 
diversity and hired the organization's first female executive director. 
He co-founded the Goodwill Industries of San Antonio in 1946, and 
provided employment opportunities for those affected with mental and 
physical disabilities and founded the Urban Coalition of San Antonio to 
address issues affecting low income communities.
  Mr. Sinkin was a civic leader and active voice for the community 
throughout his entire life. As a banker, he advocated for racial 
equality, minority hiring, and business development by increasing 
minority representation and small business lending. In the way he lived 
his life, in the relationships he cultivated, and in the community 
groups he belonged to and nurtured, Mr. Sinkin fostered greater 
understanding between people from different cultural, ethnic, and 
religious backgrounds. Enduring relationships were created in the 
Jewish-Latino and Black-Jewish Dialogues which he was instrumental in 
starting.
  As a pioneer and avid supporter of alternative energy, Mr. Sinkin 
worked to raise awareness about solar power. He founded Solar San 
Antonio in 1999, which promotes the use of solar electricity as a major 
source of power and launched Metropolitan Partnership for Energy which 
became Build San Antonio Green. Mr. Sinkin's efforts in alternative 
energy led to San Antonio being designated as a Solar America City.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had the opportunity to recognize 
the late Bill Sinkin. His extensive record of service and achievement 
has truly impacted many lives and our community.

                          ____________________