[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E332-E333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE JOE CAMPOS TORRES PLAZA DEDICATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SYLVIA R. GARCIA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 31, 2022

  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
plaza dedication in honor of Jose ``Joe'' Campos Torres taking place 
Saturday, April 2, 2022.
  On May 5, 1977, Army veteran Joe Campos Torres died of injuries 
inflicted by several on-duty officers of the Houston Police Department 
(HPD). Following a cruel, racially-motivated beating that evening, the 
police officers took him to the city jail where the jail staff refused 
to process Joe due to his grave visible injuries. Officers were 
instructed to transport him to the hospital for medical care. 
Outrageously, the officers instead pushed Joe off a wharf into the 
Buffalo Bayou. Tragically, he did not survive.

[[Page E333]]

  Joe Campos Torres was taken from his family and our community too 
soon, but his legacy was the light shone on violent police incidents 
plaguing Latinos and minorities in 1977. This set a new course of 
police reform for HPD. In 2021, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner issued 
a public apology for the brutal murder at the hands of HPD officers 
more than 40 years ago. Following sincere attempts to address racism 
within their ranks, today, HPD reflects the diversity of the city and 
is committed to building powerful relationships with minority 
communities. Joe Campos Torres' sacrifice sparked this movement and 
continues to protect countless numbers of Latino and minority community 
members.
  Madam Speaker, let the record show Jose ``Joe'' Campos Torres is a 
national and local hero. With this plaza dedication in honor of his 
life, residents across Houston and the State of Texas will welcome a 
permanent memorial worthy of his legacy.

                          ____________________