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Revision as of 14:58, 18 May 2005 by TexasAndroid (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Henry Barbosa Gonzalez (May 3, 1916 - November 28, 2000) was a Democratic politician from the state of Texas. He represented Texas' 20th Congressional District from 1961-1999. Throughout his career, the district included all or most of his hometown of San Antonio.
Gonzalez attended the University of Texas and San Antonio College. Gonzalez served on the San Antonio city council from 1953 to 1956. Gonzalez was then a member of the Texas state senate from 1956 to 1961. Gonzalez set the Texas Senate record by filibustering a set of bills on segregation for 36 straight hours. Most of the bills were abandoned. He ran for Governor of Texas in 1958, he finished second in the primary election to Price Daniel. In January 1961, Gonzalez ran in the special election for Lyndon Johnson's Senate seat, finishing sixth. However, in September, 20th District Congressman Paul Kilday was appointed to the Court of Military Appeals. Gonzalez ran in the special election in November and won. He was elected to a full term the next year and seventeen times thereafter, never facing a credible or well-funded challenge.
Gonzalez became known for his liberal views. In 1963, Congressman Ed Foreman called Gonzalez a "communist" and a "pinko" and Gonzalez confronted him. Gonzalez was referred to as a "communist" in 1986 by a man in a restaurant. Gonzalez responded by punching him in the face. Gonzalez was acquitted of assault for this incident.
Gonzalez introduced legislation calling for the impeachment of Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Gonzalez also blocked hearings into Whitewater until finally agreeing to hold hearings in 1994. In 1997, Gonzalez fell ill and he was unable to return to the House for over a year. He didn't seek re-election in 1998 and he was succeeded by his son Charlie Gonzalez.
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