[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF JOSE LUIS LOPEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SYLVIA R. GARCIA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 10, 2024

  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of Jose Luis Lopez.
  Jose was born on August 25. 1940, in Michoacan, Mexico, and moved to 
Houston in 1965. After working as a butcher in some of the finest 
hotels, he went into business for himself on Patton Street in 1977, 
opening the institution that would define the next 46 years of his 
life. He called it Gerardo's Drive-In--named after his newborn son.
  Jose was an award-winning cook, whose tacos de barbacoa were 
celebrated as the ``best barbacoa in Houston,'' according to the 
Houston Chronicle. Eater said it was one of the ``20 Most Iconic Dishes 
in Houston'' and Texas Monthly put it in the ``top ten tacos'' in the 
whole state, awarding a perfect score in their quest to find the ``120 
Tacos to Eat Before You Die.'' When Speaker Pelosi visited our district 
in 2018, there was no question on where to eat.
  Jose's journey began with a simple dream of opening a taqueria, yet 
he built a place for family, a space of community, and a taste of home.
  In a way, it is poetic that Jose will be laid to rest on a Wednesday. 
You see, even in his golden years, Thursday was always a working day, 
preparing the cabezas for the weekend tradition that brought the 
Northside so much joy. The sign out front said the rest:
  ``Gerardo's, Barbacoa, Vie-Sab-Dom.'' (Gerardo's, Barbacoa, Fri-Sat-
Sun.)
  Jose lived the American dream, and he lived it to the fullest. He 
joins his late wife, Maria de Jesus Lopez, as they look down at all 
they built. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
life and legacy of Jose Luis Lopez.

                          ____________________