Charlie A. González
Template:TOCnestleft Charlie A. Gonzalez is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives.
He is currently in his seventh term in the United States Congress as the Representative from the 20th Congressional District of Texas, which includes the City of San Antonio. In the 112th Congress, he serves on the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and House Administration. He is the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and is also a member of the New Democrats Coalition.
Since 1999, Congressman Gonzalez has served as a Texas Regional Whip for the Democratic Caucus and as Chair of the Hispanic Caucus Civil Rights Task Force.
Early life
Charles Gonzalez is a San Antonio native. A graduate of Thomas A. Edison High School in San Antonio, Gonzalez received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and then received a Juris Doctorate degree from St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio.
Charles A. Gonzalez is one of eight children of the late Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez and Bertha Gonzalez. His father served as United States Congressman representing the 20th District from 1961-1998. He has one son, Leo Gonzalez.[1]
Legal career
After spending one year as a 5th grade teacher at Kindred Elementary in the South San Antonio Independent School District, and before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Charlie Gonzalez served most of his career in the legal field. He was a lawyer in private practice from 1972 to 1982, a Municipal Court Judge, and an elected County Court at Law Judge from 1983 until 1987. He then served as an elected District Judge from 1989 to 1997.
As a sitting judge, Gonzalez was recognized as one of the highest rated trial judges. Credited with introducing the latest technological advances into the courtroom and for streamlining court dockets, Judge Gonzalez acknowledged the problematic backlog of domestic violence cases and proposed a system of courts to exclusively handle domestic violence cases. A recognized ardent mediator, Judge Gonzalez was also instrumental in further streamlining the dockets by utilizing mediation as an alternative to costly litigation. In the fall of 1997, Gonzalez resigned his seat on the bench to seek the office of United States Congressman for the 20th district of Texas.[2]
IPS grades "progressive"
In 1998 fourteen new Members of Congress were elected who ran on progressive platforms.
The 14 were gauged "progressive" by the Institute for Policy Studies after comparing their campaign literature and past activities with the Progressive Challenge "Fairness Agenda for America." On issues ranging from shifting budgetary priorities from military spending and corporate giveaways to health care and education, to promoting worker and environmental rights, fair trade, and equality, these 14 candidates stood for the liberal values that recent polls show most Americans embrace. The 14 new progressive members included:
- Charlie Gonzaiez, a Democrat from Texas' 20th district, "has stood for workers rights and equality throughout his campaign. He is a supporter of public schools, immigrant rights and equality for women.".[3]
Friends of Patti Radle host appreciation party
Friends of Patti Radle turned out for Councilwoman Patti Radle for her four years of service to the City. The event was held at Say Si on South Alamo, Tuesday, May 29th, 2007.
Guests included Anita Martin, City Public Works Director Tom Wendorf, former Mayor Bill Thorton, Larry Romo, Patsy Castillo, friend & Cesar Chavez March coordinator Jaime Martinez, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, Anita Reyes & Bud Ford, Alyssa Burgin & Cliff Borofsky, Russell Felan & Julian Castro, Cris Alderete & Joe Alderete, Robert Galvan & Lourdes Galvan.[4]
Obama's Latino Advisory Council
In August 2008 the Obama Campaign announced[5]the formation of its National Latino Advisory Council, highlighting the continued growth of support Senator Obama is receiving in the Latino community nationwide.
- According to the campaign, the advisory council is made up of key labor, faith, community leaders, and elected officials from across the country and will serve as an advisory council for the campaign on issues important to the Latino community as well as play an active role reaching out and organizing Latinos in their communities and across the country.
Its members included;
Federico Pena, Chair, National Hispanic Advisory Council, Former Mayor of Denver and Former Secretary of Transportation, National Obama Campaign Co-Chair; Geoconda Arguello-Kline, President, Nevada Culinary Workers Union ; Congressman Xavier Becerra; Adolfo Carrion, Bronx Borough President; Henry Cisneros, Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Bishop Wilfredo De Jesus, Vice President of Social Justice, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Congressman Charlie Gonzalez; Congressman Raul Grijalva ; Congressman Luis Gutierrez; Ambassador Luis Lauredo, Former Ambassador to the Organization of American States; Patricia Madrid, Former Attorney General of New Mexico; Eliseo Medina, Executive Vice President, SEIU ; Congresswoman Linda Sanchez; Congresswoman Hilda Solis; Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez.
Voting rights press conference
July 13, 2011 WASHINGTON, DC-- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) made this statement today at the voting rights press conference:
"[In Ohio] We have one of the most draconian voter suppression bills in the United States. If we are going to have a society that involves all of its citizens, we cannot allow for these kinds of bills to be passed by legislature after legislature... Across this country, 11% of all people who are eligible to vote do not have a government issued ID. That's 21 million people. Every time we take one step forward, we take two steps back. And we're not going to allow it to happen. "
Members in attendance:
Rep. Bennie Thompson, Rep. Corrine Brown, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez, Rep. Tim Ryan, Rep. Gwen Moore, Rep. Betty Sutton, Rep. Hank Johnson, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Donna Christensen, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Karen Bass.
Organizations and leaders in attendance:
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Tamika Mallory, National Action Network, Barbara Arnwine, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Laura Murphy, American Civil Liberties Union Hilary Shelton, NAACP, Rafael Collazo, National Council of La Raza/Democracia USA, Nichole Austin-Hillery, Brennan Center for Justice, Campus Progress, Center for American Progress, Diallo Brooks, People for the American Way.[6]
Obama for America, National Co-Chair
February 22, 2012, Obama for America, announced the selection of the campaign’s National Co-Chairs, a diverse group of leaders from around the country committed to re-electing President Obama. The co-chairs will serve as ambassadors for the President, advise the campaign on key issues, and help engage and mobilize voters in all 50 states.
Representative Charles A. Gonzalez – Representing the 20th District of Texas , was on the list.[7]
External links
References
- ↑ official Congressional bio, accessed August 21, 2001
- ↑ official Congressional bio, accessed August 21, 2001
- ↑ [Dem. Left Winter 1998, page 2]
- ↑ Walker Report, Tuesday, May 29, 2007 Friends of Patti Radle host appreciation party
- ↑ http://rootswire.org/conventionblog/patricia-madrid-named-obamas-national-latino-advisory-council
- ↑ [https://fudge.house.gov/press-statements/rep-fudge-ohio-has-one-of-most-draconian-voter-suppression-bills-in-the-us/Marci Fudge press release, REP. FUDGE: "OHIO HAS ONE OF MOST DRACONIAN VOTER SUPPRESSION BILLS IN THE U.S." July 13, 2011]
- ↑ Judy Chu for Congress, February 22, 2012, OBAMA FOR AMERICA ANNOUNCES REP. JUDY CHU AS. NATIONAL CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR