[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14186-14187]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CHOCO GONZALEZ MEZA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of Choco Gonzalez Meza, a beloved mother, grandmother, and 
friend who changed the face of Texas politics. Choco was a fierce 
champion for women in public service and a force in the Texas 
Democratic Party. Her recent passing is a tremendous loss not only for 
her family, but for so many throughout Texas and the nation whose lives 
she touched.
  Born in Coahuila, Mexico, Choco and her family immigrated to the 
United States when she was just three years old and settled in Eagle 
Pass, Texas. She came to San Antonio when she attended St. Mary's 
University. Choco began effecting meaningful change as a student, when 
she and my mother, Rosie, helped draft the 10-1 single member district 
plan adopted in 1977. The skill and initiative she showed led to her 
being recruited by the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, 
where she helped disenfranchised minorities exercise their right to 
vote.
  Throughout her career, Choco sought to empower others. As Executive 
Director of the YWCA, she steered women and girls towards success. She 
elevated the national conversation around poverty as Executive Director 
of Partnership for Hope. And she pushed to reform public housing and 
reduce homelessness when she joined her friend Henry G. Cisneros at the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development as Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Intergovernmental Relations and the Liaison to the White 
House in the Clinton Administration. She continued that work when she 
returned to San Antonio and became Senior Vice President at the San 
Antonio Housing Authority. Later, Choco served as President of American 
Sunrise, a nonprofit that provides educational and economic 
opportunities for children and families. She founded her own consulting 
firm, and in 2011, President Barack Obama appointed her to serve as a 
Commissioner to The Commission on Presidential Scholars.
  Choco's unparalleled passion for organizing made her an invaluable 
asset to the Democratic Party. She served on the Democratic National 
Committee, was chief of staff for District 5 Councilwoman Shirley 
Gonzalez, and was elected Bexar County Democratic Chair. Most recently, 
Choco led Hillary Clinton's campaign operations in San Antonio. In all 
her political work, Choco tirelessly fought for social justice and 
strove to create opportunity for marginalized groups.
  Choco's spirit lives on through her family--her beloved husband 
Daniel, daughter Ivalis, granddaughter Emma, and son Danny, who is a 
trusted member of my staff. Choco was truly a historic figure in Texas 
politics and a compassionate, selfless soul. We mourn her passing and 
are grateful for all she gave to our community in San Antonio and to 
our nation's democracy.

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