[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 15894-15895]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CHOCO GONZALEZ MEZA

  (Mr. CASTRO of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  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. 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 3 years old. She graduated from St. 
Mary's University in San Antonio and went on to hold a number of 
leadership positions throughout her career. Whether at nonprofits like 
the YWCA, through public service as deputy assistant secretary at the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, or in politics as Bexar 
County Democratic chair, Choco tirelessly fought for social justice and 
strove to create opportunity for marginalized groups.
  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

[[Page 15895]]

community in San Antonio and to our Nation's democracy.

                          ____________________