LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS

LULAC Council 60 History

By Benny C. Martinez, LULAC Council 60 Historian

Edited by Loretta Martinez Williams, LULAC Council 60 Member

Final revision by Thomas H. Kreneck, Ph.D. Honorary Member of Lulac Council 60

LULAC Council 60 became a charter member of the League of United Latin American Citizens on November 30, 1934, five years after LULAC was founded in Corpus Christi, Texas by pro-tem chairman Ben Garza.[1]  The requirement to be chartered was a minimum of 10 members.  LULAC Council 2 from San Antonio who were also called the "Flying Squadron" (“Esquadron Volante’s meaning is derived from the early Spanish settlers in Texas that would group and go to the aid of villages of settlers who were under attack by Indians) came to Houston in early 1934 and talked to the community leaders about organizing a LULAC council here with the objectives of improving living conditions.  The LULAC Council 2 members that came to Houston were Tomas A. Garza, Henry Cañamar, Mauro Machado, M.C. Gonzales, Adolfo A Garza, Teodoro Gongora, James Tafolla, and E.R. Lozano.  

The first official meeting place of LULAC Council 60 took place at 74^th and Navigation, which was a gasoline filling station and bookstore owned by Frank Partida's family.  This council would be chartered as Council 60 Magnolia.[2]   Council 60 Magnolia was initially an all male organization.   Mariano Hernandez, served as the first elected Council President, J. Garcia, Vice President, Prudencio Gutierrez, Secretary, along with Isidro Garcia, Manuel Crespo, Juvencio Rodriguez, Felix H. Morales, Cris Hinojosa, Juan Serrano, Luis Hernandez, John Ruiz, Fernando Salas, Louis Tobias, Freddi Martinez, Felix De La Cerda, Elias Ramirez, John Duhig, Candelario Surez, Br. Soto, Bruno R. Quiñónez, and Guadalupe Moreno.

They had determined that the time had come for Houston’s Mexican-American community to be represented in the fight against prejudice and discrimination. In addition, the council adopted the National Organization’s policies and primary goals of improving education, employment and civil rights.[3]

In 1938, one of the first challenges LULAC Council 60 and members of LAC (Latin American Club of Harris County which was formed in the mid 1930’s) confronted was with the City of Houston due to comments made by a City Councilman S.A. Starkey.  He had asked why should “Mexicans” city water employees be paid for the holiday, on which they were “beaten?” (San Jacinto Day).[4]  The article appeared in the Houston Press on May 5, 1938.  LULAC and LAC were successful in shaming the city and bringing attention to the fact that employees of the city water department were also American citizens.[5]  

LULAC and LAC also protested the death of Elpidio Cortez who died while in custody of Houston police.  The officers were indicted, tried and then acquitted.[6]  This case outraged the Mexican American Community.  LAC combined forces with Council 60 Magnolia in 1939 and from that time on they were known as LULAC Council 60.[7]

LULAC, since its inception has been promoting and advancing the needs of the Mexican American Community.  During WWII many of the eligible members of Council 60 showed their patriotism and served in the military.  This would leave only a few older members who were civically involved and sold war bonds on the home front.  John J. Herrera, attorney at law and Council 60 member in 1943 implemented the President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practice by filing the first complaint of discrimination against the Port of Houston’s major shipyards’ hiring practices of Mexican Americans[8].  As a result, at the end of World War II, the Port of Houston employed thousands of Mexican Americans.  In 1948, LULAC, won a civil rights case with John J. Herrera, and Gustavo C. García, (San Antonio LULAC) Attorneys at law in Delgado vs. Bastrop Independent School District.  George I Sanchez, Past LULAC National President, Professor at Univ. of Texas and St Mary’s Univ. Law Professor Carlos Cadena would also assist in the research of the case.   The court ruled segregation ("Mexican Schools") of Mexican Americans illegal in Texas.[9]  In 1954, Pete Hernandez v. the State of Texas, LULAC Attorneys, John J. Herrera, Carlos Cadena,(San Antonio LULAC) and Gustavo C. García, litigated the first civil rights case before the United States Supreme Court.  The court ruled that Mexican Americans could not be excluded from petit and grand juries.[10]  LULAC council president, Fernando Salas would be the first Mexican American in Harris County to serve on a grand jury.  John J. Herrera during his tenure in LULAC founded 53 councils in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.  Through its timeless dedication, Council 60 developed and established a strong reputation as a leader and became known by other councils throughout the country as "The Council."[11]  LULAC 60 would become the most influential Mexican American civil right advocates in the post World War II era.

On Sept. 14, 1948 Council 60 helped organize LULAC Women Council 22 (which was composed of some of the wives of members of LULAC 60) during the administration of Alfred J. Hernandez.  The first woman President was Helen Picazo.  Through their diligence, they visited schools, raised money for scholarships, funds for eye glasses for school children, funds to provide milk tickets for children in school, and funds to fight tuberculosis.   

On Feb. 28, 1949 LULAC Council 60 helped organize the Junior LULAC Council under the supervision of Mr. and Mrs. George Perez and Ernest Eguia.  Its first President was Joe Martinez.  Soon after the Korean War broke out several of the Junior LULAC members joined the Marines.  The first Junior LULAC to be killed in the Korean War was Roy Gomez.

In 1950 Council 60 began its push to promote the hiring of Mexican Americans in city government.  After an intense and careful recruitment of a well qualified candidate, Council 60 persuaded city officials to hire its first Mexican American police officer, Raul C. Martinez.[12]  The LULAC 60 members who accompanied Raul C. Martinez when he made his application to the Houston Police Dept. were Sammie Alderete, Alfred J. Hernandez, John J. Herrera, Ernest Eguia, Felix Salazar, Jr.and Toby Hernandez.  At the time there was a height requirement of 5'11'' and Raul C. Martinez was 6'4".  He was also a student at the University of Houston attending on his G.I. Bill.   Twenty-five years later, Sergeant Martinez made history once again as he became Harris County’s first duly elected Mexican American Constable.[13]    

His brother Elias Martinez, LULAC 60 member, also in 1950 would make history as the first Mexican American admitted into the Houston Fire Department.[14]  Felix Salazar Jr, Council 60 member would become the city’s first Mexican American assistant county attorney in the Eminent Domain Section in 1954 under County Attorney Joe Resweber.  Alfred J. Hernandez, Council 60 member and atty. at law, in 1960 would be appointed Houston’s first Mexican American Municipal Court Judge.15  Other appointees in the mid 1960’s to the bench would be A. D. Azios, Felix Salazar, Jr. and Abraham Ramirez, all attorneys at law and LULAC 60 members.  These appointees would go on to win elections in various judicial positions. 

Felix H. Morales was the first funeral home director and cemetery owner serving the Houston Hispanic Community since 1931.  He was also the founder of Houston’s first Spanish language radio station, KLVL and it officially aired on May 5, 1950.16  Manuel Crespo, in 1931 opened the second funeral home serving the Hispanic Community.  In 1956 he also organized and served as president of the Port Houston Lion's Club for the Hispanic community which would be the second largest Lion’s Club in the Houston community. 17   Funeral homes that catered to Mexican Americans were vitally important since most Anglo funeral homes would not provide their services for Mexican Americans.  A good example is the refusal of the cemetery service and burial of Private Felix Longoria, a WWII veteran in Three Rivers, Texas.  Mr. Longoria was killed in active service in Luzon Island during WWII.  Dr. Hector Garcia, founder of the GI Forum sought the intervention of a young Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson who arranged for him to have a full military burial with honors in Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. in 1949.  Many members of LULAC 60 were also members of other organizations and sought to bring attention to the needs of the Mexican American community.  As a result of Council 60’s efforts, Mexican Americans and Hispanics broke ethnic barriers and held more elected and appointed positions in city and county government than ever before.

In 1955 LULAC Council 60 purchased a two storied stucco house located at 3004 Bagby with the help of a $5000.00 loan from Felix Tijerina. 18

These monies and efforts were made possible by donations and the volunteer labor of its members.  Contractor and member Sammie Alderete converted the house into a clubhouse with a meeting room, bar and facilities.  The total cost was $10,500.00 and the grand opening was held on December 17, 1955. 19

Many dignitaries and National LULAC President, Oscar Laurel also attended the opening.  Council 60, with this LULAC Clubhouse, was solidified as the center of Mexican American Civic Activity.   The Council continues to meet to this day at 3004 Bagby.

The 1960’s proved to be Council 60’s most productive decade. Under the leadership of Council 60 members and National Presidents Felix Tijerina, Alfred J. Hernandez and Roberto Ornelas, LULAC gained national prominence as an established leader and advocated for the country’s Mexican Americans. During this time, three nationals programs were created and are still in existence today.  The Tijerina Administration (1956-1960) spearheaded a program to teach Spanish-speaking children 400 basic English words.  The program later became known as the Little School of the 400 and served as a pilot for the Head Start Program under the administration of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. 20

In the spring of 1964, Council 60 began discussing the idea of a job placement program.  The Alfred J. Hernandez Administration (1965-1967) initiated SER (Service, Employment, Redevelopment)   “Jobs for Progress,” with Houston being the pilot city. 21  The GI Forum would also join forces with LULAC.  The program was run initially by countless LULAC 60 volunteers such as Moe Sanchez, atty. at law, Lefty Cavazos, Sammie Alderete, Joe Ramon, Raul Martinez, David Adame, Joe Orlando, Toby Hernandez, Gilbert Gomez, Juvencio Rodriquez, Benny Martinez, Placido Martinez, Tony Alvarez, Ernest Eguia and some of the member’s wives.   Leonel Castillo, (the first Mexican American elected to citywide office in Houston and the director of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in Jimmy Carter's cabinet during the 1970’s) would serve as its first official Executive Director from 1967-1968.  Ernest Garcia would serve as the second Director from 1970- 1977.  This program evolved into Operation SER/Jobs for Progress, a national program with federal funding which helps low-income individuals acquire the training and skills needed for employment. 22

A few years later under the Ornelas Administration (1968-1970) LULAC, in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), established the LULAC Housing Project. This project provides housing for low-income individuals and senior citizens.

Council 60’s most memorable and highlight of its history occurred over 30 years ago on November 21, 1963. President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Mrs. Kennedy along with Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson accepted an invitation and attended a function hosted by LULAC Council 60 at the Rice Hotel.  The President spoke about the Alliance for Progress, improving relations with Latin America, and praised LULAC for their efforts in education and civic duties.23  The First Lady also gave a brief speech to the audience in Spanish. As the President’s party departed, the several hundreds in attendance chanted, "Viva Kennedy!" Tragically, it was one of his last public appearances before his assassination.

Among Council 60’s other notable accomplishments include renaming 69^th Street in 1981 after the WWII Congressional Medal

of Honor Recipient, Sergeant Macario Garcia. 

In September of 1945, Macario Garcia was refused service in a restaurant in Richmond, Texas.  Council 60 would advocate by raising the funds and provide legal aid to reverse discrimination.  LULAC 60 was also involved in the elimination of the poll tax in 1966, the promotion of bilingual education and the placement of bilingual emergency switchboard operators in the city of Houston in 1974.  In addition, Council 60 has the honor of producing five National Presidents, more that any other council.  These honorable men were:  John J. Herrera  (1952-1953); Frank Pinedo (1954-1955); Felix Tijerina (1956-1960); Alfred J. Hernandez (1965-1967) and Roberto Ornelas (1968-1970).  They were instrumental in producing and developing programs that fostered the Mexican American community’s economic, education, civil rights and political growth through the United States.  LULAC Council 60 has contributed four National Men of the Year.  David Adame, who was awarded this honor twice in 1954 and 1968, Al Maldonado in 1988, Benny C. Martinez in 1996 and Guadalupe Flores, Jr. in 1998.  LULAC Council 60 has six members who recently reached their 50^th year as members, Pablo Segura, Frank C. Urteaga, (who has the distinction of being a former Junior LULAC member) Benny C. Martinez, Ernest Eguia, Alfred J. Hernandez and David Adame.  Past President of Council 60, Juan Garcia, Ph.D. has the distinction of founding the most Young Adult Councils, a total of 45 in Colleges and Universities nationwide. He has served as National V.P. for Young Adults, 2002 - 2003 a board member of the LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) and chaired the LULAC Council 60 Scholarship and Education Committee.    He was also the LULAC District VIII Man of the Year for 2003.  In 1995, seeing the dedication and interest offered by their female counterparts, females were allowed membership into council 60.  Member Bertha Urteaga has had the distinction of being the Council’s 60 first recipient of Woman of the Year at Council District Level and State level for the year 2003.  This same year she was also inducted into the LULAC Woman’s National Hall of Fame.  Member Ruben Guerrero, atty. at law, was appointed by President Clinton as the Regional Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Region VI, for the term 1996 - 2000.  Member, Joel Lara for over 30 years has conducted Equal Rights Seminars at Conventions.  These are a few of the outstanding members who have contributed and continue to make a difference.

Throughout the years of continuous service LULAC Council 60 has a proud history in fighting and struggling for better education, employment, housing and civil rights.  LULAC 60 has raised thousands of dollars for educational scholarships through fundraisers and benefits. (LULAC has planned many New Years Eve’s dances, which were held beginning in 1948 at the old Auditorium, now the present site of Jones Hall.  Other New Year’s Eve Dances were held at the Old Coliseum, the Shamrock Hotel, Albert Thomas Convention Center and the George R. Brown Convention Center).  Its current president is Charles Flores, who is serving his fourth term as president and has also served as LULAC District Director 18.  LULAC Council 60 through its efforts continues to plant the seed of opportunity for future generations to enjoy.

Bibliography

Christian, Carole E. Herrera, John J., The New Handbook of Texas, 6 vols.  (Austin TX: Texas State Historical Association. 1996).  The Handbook of Texas Online[ Thu Jul 1 18:54:26 US/Central 2004 ]. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/HH/fhe63.html

DeLeón. Ethnicity in the Sunbelt: A History of Mexican Americans in Houston.  Houston: Mexican American Studies Program, University of Houston, 1989.

García , María-Cristina.  Morales, Felix Hessbrook,  The New Handbook of Texas, 6 vols.  (Austin TX: Texas State Historical Association. 1996).  The Handbook of Texas Online  [ Tue Aug 3 2:08:02 US/Central 2004 ].

http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/MM/fmobk.html

Kreneck, Thomas H.  Del Pueblo: A Pictorial History of Houston’s Hispanic Community. (Houston: Houston International University, 1989).

 Kreneck, Thomas H.  Mexican American Odyssey Felix Tijerina, Entrepreneur & Civic Leader, 1905- 1965.   (College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2001).

Rodriguez, Danny.  Annex Honors Law-Enforcement Trailblazer, Houston Chronicle, September 25, 2003, This Week East/SouthEast News, p.p. 1.

Rodriguez, Danny.  Eastside Welcomes Reopened Fire Station, Houston Chronicle.Com—      http://www.HoustonChronicle.com Section:  East/Southeast News.

San Miguel, Guadalupe.  Brown, Not White.  School Integration and the Chicano Movement

in  Houston (College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2001). 

Smith, Benjamin.  War Veteran Becomes First Hispanic Judge in Houston, U.S. Latinos & Latinas & World War II

http://www.utexas.edu/projects/latinoarchives/narratives/07Hernandez_Alfred.html     

We Too "Have a Dream"!

We strive for inclusion of all our people to the rights, privileges and guarantees provided to us by the United States Constitution.

We dedicate ourselves to make sure our people continue to work hard, improve their lives and the future of their children.

This will guarentee the future of America.

We ask not for a hand out, but a hand up!

Who We Are

President: Arturo Lopez

Vice-President: Kirk Savarese

Tresurer: James Young

Secretary: Ronnie McNabb

Parlimentarian: Baldomero Garza III

Sgt. at Arms: Ernest Garcia

Sgt. at Arms: Rick Rivas