[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26394]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN HENRY B. GONZALEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2000

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I was deeply saddened to hear of the 
passing of Henry B. Gonzalez.
  As the first Hispanic Congressman from Texas, he was very active in 
the fight for civil rights for all Americans.
  Henry was a close friend of mine before I came to Congress. When he 
was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development, 
he asked me to testify before the subcommittee. At that time I was 
Sheriff of Mahoning County and had refused to sign transfer deeds for 
foreclosures on homes in my district. He also helped me to pass 
legislation that provides counseling to homeowners who are in danger of 
losing their homes.
  Henry B. Gonzalez was truly a great American with a lot of guts, who 
will be greatly missed. I extend my deepest sympathy to his family.

                          ____________________