La Raza Unida Program Book 8.5 11abc.pmd

Transcription

La Raza Unida Program Book 8.5 11abc.pmd
La Raza Unida Party
Reunion
July 6th & 7th 2012
Austin, Texas
Cover photo by Alan Pogue
Page 2
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Juan, Martha y Marí Eugenia Cotera
SALUDAN
a todos sus compañeros de la Raza
Julio 6-7, 2012
Familia Zamora-Valenzuela
Emilio, Angela,
Clara, Luz,
Felix, Feliciano
Salute all those who are coming to the reunion
Page 3
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
La Raza Unida Party Reunion
Table of Contents
Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
La Raza Unida Reunion Program . .
4
6 & 7
Un Breve Historia del
Partido de La Raza Unida . . . . . 10,11,12
Cometarios de los estaba allí . . .
14 & 15
Memorial Page . . . . . . . . . . .
17
Special Recognition para
Little Joe y La Familia . . . . . .
18
Texas Population Overview . . . .
20 & 21
Lista de los candidatos
del partido . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 & 37
Planning Committee . . . . . . . .
39
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La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
¿Quién Son?
Who are they?
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION
Editor & Publisher
Alfredo
Santos c/s
Editor
Alfredo Santos c/s
Managing Editors
Yleana Santos
Contributing
Writers
Kaitlyn
Theiss
Pablo Avila
Modesta Treviño
Graphics
Martha
JuanCotera
Gallo
Maria Elena Martinez
Distribution
Linda
Del Toro
El Team
Ernesto
Calderon
Ruby T. Calderon
Contributing Writers
Ricardo Chavira
Alma
Valdez
Wayne
Dr.Hector
Emilio Tijerina
Zamora
Marisa Cano
PUBLISHER’S
STATEMENT
PUBLISHER’S
La Raza
Unida Party ReSTATEMENT
union program book is
La Vozindeprogress
Austin is in
a monthly
work
that
publication.
The
editorial
and
we are still looking for all
business address is P.O. Box
the names of those who
19457 Austin, Texas 78760.
ran for elective office bajo
The telephone number is (512)
el nombre del partido.
944-4123. The use, reproducReaders are encouraged
tion or distribution of any or
to
contact
staff with is
part
of thisthe
publication
names
and leads But
ondo
strongly encouraged.
people
who
should
be
call and let us know whatinyou
cluded
in an
official
listeditor
of
are using.
Letters
to the
all
who were Raza
arethose
most welcome.
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La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
What Happened to Us?
Editorial
Pus ya llego el dia. Aquí estamos en otra reunion de
activistas. Some of you may have attended the 20th
year anniversary in 1989 en San Antonio, Texas.
Tal vez otras fueron al reunion en Dallas, Texas en
2009. De todas maneras, it is great to see everyone
here in Austin, Texas.
While some have been calling this reunion “el
utlimo adios,” otros estan diciendo que “la
revolución no ha terminado.” Yes, it is true we have
not seen the kind of activity that once had us in front
of TV cameras and on the front page of newspapers
in the 1960s and 1970s. And yes, many of us have
reduced our profile to raise families, earn a living or
focus on a career.
Alfredo R. Santos c/s
Planning Committee
La Raza Unida Party Reunion
Austin, Texas
But there are still some of us, who like that Japanese soldier at the end of World War II,
who have refused to give up or stop being activists. Some of us, like the Japanese
soldier, have not heard the news that the war is over. Seguimos peleando la causa. ¿
Por qué?¿Qué fue la causa?
When we look around us, we still see the same poverty, injustice, discrimination and
bad education that we once stood up and denounced. Granted it, it is not the same
people who are poor today. But what is the same is the injustice, discrimination and the
bad education. 40 years ago the high school dropout rate for Chicanos was terrible!
Today the dropout rate hovers around 40%. Is that terrible?
While it is true that more and more Latinos are going to college and becoming professionals, it is also true that more and more Latinos are leaving school, filling the prisons
and jails and stuck in poor paying jobs. Where is the outrage? Where is the coraje that
once led us to fill the streets with protest signs and gritos?
Unida Party candidates.
The contact information is
What has changed? Did we, who were once the proud Chicano activists change? Or
Alfredo Santos c/s P.O.
did society change? Does history truly move in cycles and thus the activism that we were
once were a part of in the 1970s something that shall return at a future date?
Box 19457 Austin, Texas
78760. The telephone
number is (512) 944-4123.
I am sure there are many here today who ponder these questions often. I am sure there
Por cualquier
pregunta,
llamanos:
are those who still struggle with how far to push the envelope in their respective cities
and town today. While this event here in Austin, Texas is a reunion, I am sure there are
those who will be exploring and listening to see how others feel about the times in which
we are living. And the age old question of what is one willing to do will be raised again
because there are still some Japanese soldiers still out there.
(512) 944-4123
www.larazaunidapartyreunion.org
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La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program
FRIDAY July 6th, 2012
Noon
Registration opens at noon at Mexitas Restaurant
(12th and IH-35 in Austin, Texas)
Early arrivals can pick up their name tags and program booklet
Exhibits open / informal platicas Interview booths are open for oral history
1:00pm
Screening of Movie “Chicano” in East part of room
6:00pm
Social and Visiting in the Restaurant (dinner is on your own)
SATURDAY July 7th, 2012
8:00am
Café y pan dulce in the restaurant
Exhibits open in the Bingo Hall
8:30am
Invocation
Rev. Dr. Jayme Mathias
9:00am
Welcome/Program Review
Luz Bazan Gutierrez
9:20am
Introductory Speaker
¿Por Qué Estamos Aquí?
9:45 am
Words from Luis Diaz de Leon – Candidate for United States Senate under La Raza Unida Party
in 1978 (Linda del Toro will escort him to the stage) ¿Por qué me vine a este reunion.?
9:55 am
Recognition of who is in the house by city/county/region of state
10:55am
Update on who is not here Reading of the Names of those activists
who have passed on
Linda del Toro
11:10 am
Presentation and update on the case of Ramiro “Ramsey” Muñiz
Irma Muñiz
11:30:am
First guest speaker – Dr. Armando Navarro Professor at the University of California
Riverside, author of several books on La Raza Unida Party and activist desde hace muchos años
12:00pm
BREAK for lunch
Maria Elena Martinez
One time Texas State Chair of LRUP
Introduction of Special Guest
Pablo Avila
Special Announcements
Luz Bazan Gutierrez
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La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program
SATURDAY July 7th, 2012
1:00 pm
Reflejo Panel – theme: “Lo que hicimos y como nos fue, a personal perspective”
PANELISTS
Roberto Villarreal
Raza Unida Party Activist from Rivera, Texas
Martha Cotera
Candidate for Board of Education LRUP
Mario Compean
Candidate for Governor of Texas LRUP
Maria Jiménez
Candidate for Texas State Rep. LRUP
Pablo Avila
Former Zavala County Judge
2:00 pm
Open Microphone Questions and Comments from the audience
moderator
Luz Bazan Gutierrez
2:30 pm
¿Y ahora qué? Move to Breakout Sessions - This is an opportunity for smaller and more
focused conversations about future directions
La Poltica de Hoy
Mario Compean
The State of Education in Texas – What has changed?
Jaime Puente
Mujeres de la Raza – The untold stories
Martha Cotera
The “Dream Students: the new activists?”
Montserrat Garibay
50 million Mestizos y qué?
Lorenzo Cano
School Walkouts – How many were there?
Alfredo R. Santos c/s
Community Newspapers, Social Media and staying in touch
Ernesto Fraga
The Case of Ramsey Muñiz
Irma Muñiz
The Future of Chicano Studies/Mexican American Studies
Dr. Beto Calderon
Prospects for the Rise of a New Raza Unida Party
Dr. Armando Navarro
Art in the Community and the Cause
Raul Valdez
3:30 pm
Reconvene and Brief Reports from each session
Dr. Emilio Zamora
4:15pm
Closing remarks
Avina Gutierrez
4:30 pm
End of formal part of reunion. Closing of interview booths and exhibits
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La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Libros del Movimiento
by Dr. Armando Navarro
by Dr. Carlos Muñoz
by Dr. Ignacio M. Garcia
by Dr. Armando Navarro
by Dr. Ignacio M. Garcia
by Yolanda Alaniz
and Megan Cornish
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
There will be a special
presentation and update on Ramsey
Muñiz case at the reunion. In the afternoon
there will be a breakout
session for those wishing more information
about how to help Irma
Muñiz secure his freedom.
Maria Elena Martinez
Page 9
Page 10
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
by Teresa Palomo Acosta
The Raza Unida Party was
El Partido de
In October 1971, RUP held its
established on January 17,
state
1970, at a meeting of 300
Antonio and voted to organize
Mexican
at
at the state level over the
Campestre Hall in Crystal City,
objections of Gutiérrez, who
Texas. José Ángel Gutiérrez
believed that the party should
and Mario Compean, who had
strengthen its rural standing
helped found MAYO (the
rather than expend its energy
Mexican
Americans
American
convention
in
San
Youth
on a state party. Compean
Organization) in 1967, were two
rallied enough support for a
of its principal organizers.
state organization on the
grounds that it would give a
In December 1969, at the first
boost
to
the
Chicano
and only national MAYO
movement in Texas and repeat
meeting, Chicano activists had
the success it had attained in
endorsed the formation of a
Crystal City throughout Texas.
third party, an idea that
Gutiérrez had proposed in
establishing MAYO. After RUP
filed for party status in Zavala,
La Salle, and Dimmit counties
in January 1970, it began its
eight-year quest to bring greater
RUP sought a
candidate for the 1972
gubernatorial election,
first calling upon such
well-known Democrats
economic, social, and political
With the state party apparatus
self-determination to Mexican
in place, RUP sought a
Americans
candidate
in
the
state,
for
the
1972
especially in South Texas,
gubernatorial election, first
where they held little or no
calling upon such well-known
power in many local or county
Democrats as state senator
jurisdictions although they were
Carlos Truán, Hector García
often in the majority.
(founder of the American G.I.
Forumqv), and state senator Joe
Membership in the party was
Bernal. All refused to run for the
open to anyone who was
position. The party finally found
committed to RUP’s goals. The
a candidate in Ramsey Muñiz,
party fielded candidates for
a lawyer and administrator with
nonpartisan city council and
the
school
the
Program. Alma Canales of
following April in Crystal City,
Edinburg, who had been a
Cotulla, and Carrizo Springs
farmworker and journalism
and won a total of fifteen seats,
student at Pan American
including two city council
University, became the RUP
majorities, two school board
candidate
majorities,
governor, although at twenty-
board
mayoralties.
races
and
two
Waco
Model
for
Cities
lieutenant
ABOVE: Jose Angel Guiterrez speaking in Lubbock,
four she was too young to take
the office constitutionally.
The party, which had spread
to many other states, held its
first national conference in El
Her presence on the RUP
Paso on September 1–4, 1972.
slate was considered a sign
About half of the estimated
that women had a crucial role
1,500
in the party. Although they
women, and a large number of
seemed an unusual match,
elderly people also attended.
the two resembled many of the
The delegates formed the
RUP rank and file, who were
Congreso de Aztlán to run the
young and university educated.
national party and elected
participants
were
Like others in the party, they had
Gutiérrez as RUP national
also been members of MAYO.
chairman. Despite his standing
Besides Muñiz and Canales,
as the party’s chief political
RUP ran candidates for nine
candidate, Muñiz was not much
other state offices, including
heeded. As a result, he left the
member of the Railroad
gathering early to campaign in
Commission, state treasurer,
the governor’s race.
and member of the State
Board of Education. RUP
The RUP platform that Muñiz
candidates also ran for local
put
before
voters,
while
posts in Hidalgo, Starr,
emphasizing
Victoria, McLennan, and other
American community control,
Mexican-
counties.
bilingual
education,
and
Page 11
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
La Raza Unida
women’s and workers’ rights,
Muñiz won heavily in some
bore similarity to the values
South Texas counties and had
espoused by the liberal faction
a decent turnout in large cities.
of the state Democratic party,
Over the next two years RUP
which supported Frances
solidified its South Texas rural
(Sissy) Farenthold for the
base and racked up more
party’s
nonpartisan victories in the
gubernatorial
nomination.
Winter Garden Region. It also
achieved political successes in
Muñiz won 6 percent
(214,149) of the votes
in the November
election, thus reducing
Briscoe’s margin
Kyle and Lockhart. Its urban
support, though quite strong
among university activists and
barrio youth and politicians,
remained small. This ultimately
hurt the party’s future, since
In spite of this, Muñiz did not
many Hispanics lived in the
receive strong support from
state’s major urban areas and
liberals.
even
their support of RUP was
Farenthold endorsed Dolph
necessary for the party to have
Briscoe, to whom she had lost
a larger political impact.
Ultimately,
the nomination, although she
had once referred to him as “a
In 1974, RUP was ready for
bowl of pablum.” Muñiz won 6
another try at the governor’s
percent (214,149) of the votes
race, with Muñiz once again its
in the November election, thus
candidate. The party also ran a
reducing Briscoe’s margin of
slate of fourteen men and two
victory so that the race was the
women for state representative
first in the twentieth century in
from Lubbock, Houston, San
which a Texas governor was
Antonio, Austin, Falfurrias,
elected with less than a majority.
Crystal City, and other cities. As
in the 1972 election, the RUP
campaign
literature
emphasized
the party’s
Chicano
foundation;
but it also
asserted a
desire
to
“ensure
democracy
for
[the]
many, not
ABOVE: Irma Mireles speaking in Hondo, Texas
the few” and the need to
transportation,
preserve “human and natural
funding of public education,
improved
resources.” In addition, it called
better medical care, and
for the prosecution of industrial
solutions to urban problems.
polluters.
I n his announcement for the
But RUP did not fare well in
governor’s race on January 16,
the 1974 general election.
1974,
to
Muñiz got only 190,000 votes
maximize the party’s appeal to
and posed no real threat to
a broader spectrum of the
Briscoe’s
Muñiz
sought
reelection.
state’s voters, stressing RUP’s
ideas for new modes of
Continued on page 12
In
Page 12
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
addition, none of the sixteen
candidates for the state House
garnered enough support to
win. The party’s sole real
victories were in Crystal City,
where cofounder Gutiérrez
was elected as Zavala county
judge
and
the
party
successfully defended its
dominance of other county
offices. Nonetheless, by its
numerous victories in South
Texas, RUP had achieved
Mexican-American political
dominance in some cities and
altered the state’s political life.
Several Mexican-American
women
were
significant
participants at the state and
national level. Evey Chapa, for
instance, ensured that RUP’s
state executive committee
provide for a female member;
Virginia Múzquiz headed the
RUP nationally from 1972 to
1974;
and
María
ABOVE: Mario Compean speaking at a house meeting in Uvalde, Texas in 1978
Elena
Martínez served as the last
Perhaps two of the biggest
moment in Mexican-American
do the same for Mexican
head of the party in Texas from
blows to party morale were the
history in the state. Writing in
Americans in the 1970s.
1976 to 1978. Likewise, Evey
arrests in July and November
1978 in The Tejano Yearbook:
Chapa, Ino Alvárez, and Martha
1976
RUP
1519–1978, Philip Ortega y
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cotera have been credited with
gubernatorial
candidate
Gasca and Arnoldo De León
Ignacio M. Garcia, United We
organizing Mujeres Por La
Ramsey
drug
noted that the establishment of
Win: The Rise and Fall of La
Raza, the women’s caucus
charges. He pled guilty to one
RUP in the 1930s would have
Raza Unida Party (Tucson:
within RUP.
count and was sentenced to
been “premature” because
University of Arizona Mexican
fifteen years. The party was
violence was still a common
American Studies Research
considerably weakened as it
response to Texas Mexicans’
Center, 1989). José Ángel
fortunes
entered the final and fatal 1978
political ambitions.
Gutiérrez Papers, Benson
activism
election,
In the four years after the 1974
election,
RUP’s
diminished,
with
of
former
Muñiz
on
when
RUP
Latin American Collection,
some
gubernatorial candidate Mario
Nevertheless, the authors also
University of Texas at Austin.
enclaves in South Texas. Even
Compean won only 15,000
argue that RUP was neither a
Raza Unida Party Collection,
in Crystal City, its bedrock, RUP
votes.
new phenomenon nor a “radical”
Benson
one but a continuation of Tejano
Collection, University of Texas
at Austin.
slowing
except
in
lost control in 1977. The party
also suffered losses in its
At the election-day fiasco in
political initiatives. Nineteenth-
membership, and some of its
1978, RUP lost state funds for
century Tejanos had formed
original leaders, including
its primary and was effectively
various movements, such as
allied
eliminated as a party. Some
Botas and Guaraches and
themselves with new political
historians have stated that RUP,
special
initiatives, such as the Mexican
with its various successes and
associations, to defend their
American Democrats.
failures, came at the right
interests. RUP was intended to
Willie
Velásquez,
benevolent
Latin
American
Teresa Palomo Acosta
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Collage of Clippings
Page 13
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La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Commentary from those who were there
Rogelio Smiley Rojas Moctezuma from
San Antonio, Texas:
“Estimado Alfredo, Count me in!”
[email protected]
210-260-5550 “One attending and I will
send a check.”
TERESA GARCIA, FRED VUITTONET, ROY
MARTINEZ, ALBERTO ALMANZA, SRA.
MARIA SILVIA, FRANK SILVA, JAIME
DIAZ,NOE DIAZ,& ARMANDO DIAZ &
CONRADO GARZA,THE RUP COUNTY
CHAIRMAN AT THAT TIME.
Roberto Pachecano writes:
“I participated in the movement as an
activist, poll worker, and straight ticket
voter. The establishment gave me no
choice but to denounce it; I still do!”
I WAS ELECTED RUP COUNTY
SECRETARY IN 1972. IN 1973 I
WAS ELECTED RUP CAMERON COUNTY
CHAIRMAN AND SUPERVISED THE RUP
COUNTY ELECTION IN CAMERON
COUNTY.
Raza Unida Party Precinct 215, Bexar
County, Texas, Ms. Carolina PiñaPrecinct Judge. In memory of Mary
Elizabeth Ladd (La Ladd).
Huey Rey Fischer writes:
361.463.2085
[email protected]
“Is there a way to pay online? Is this
event open to the public or only those
who were active in the LRUP in the 70s?”
ENRIQUE ‘KIKO’ SALAZAR from:
12766 VENICE BLVD. #2
VENICE BEACH, CA. 90066
CELL: 310-433-0297
EMAIL: [email protected]
“ON JAN.1972, RAMSEY MUNIZ CAME TO
SPEAK AT TEXAS SOUTHMOST
COLLEGE IN BROWNSVILLE, TX.,
WHERE I WAS A STUDENT. I AGREED
WITH EVERYTHING HE SAID. BEING
JUST OUT OF THE AIR FORCE, I KNEW
THERE WAS RACISM ALL OVER,
EXPECIALLY IN TEXAS.
I TRANSFERED TO SUL ROSS STATE
UNIVERSITY IN ALPINE,TX IN SEPT. 1972
AND BECAME INVOLVED WITH THE RUP
THERE. MOSTLY WERE STUDENTS
FROM DEL RIO,TX. RAMSEY WENT TO
SPEAK THERE IN OCT.1972. I TOOK HIM
TO EL PASO,TX AND THERE I MET RUP
MEMBERS. I LEFT TO HARLINGEN, MY
HOME TOWN, AND ATTENDED PAN
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN JAN. 1973.
I LEFT THERE IN THE SUMMER OF 1973
AND ATTENDED COLIGIO JACINTO
TREVINO TILL SUMMER OF 1974. I GOT
INVOLVED IN THE RUP THERE WITH
ANSELMO GARZA & RICARDO MOLINA,
ARTURO GARZA, JUAN GARCIA &
IN 1973, MYSELF & JUAN GARCIA &
ANSELMO GARZA WERE CANDIDATES
FOR THE CITY COMMISSIONERS IN
HARLINGEN,TX. WE RAN AS A RUP
SLATE. WE DIDN’T WIN, BUT WE
RAISED ALOT OF HELL ON THE
CONDITIONS OF ROADS IN THE AREA
WHERE MOSTLY LA RAZA LIVED.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE CITY BUILT A
TENNIS COURT AND A COUPLE OF
BASEBALL FIELDS BECAUSE IN ONE
CITY MEETING, I TOLD THEM THAT WE
ALSO PLAYED TENNIS & BASEBALL.
THE PARK IS KNOWN AS VICTOR PARK
IN THE WEST SIDE OF HARLINGEN ON
HIGHWAY 77. U CAN’T MISS IT WHEN U
PASS THRU HARLINGEN. AS RUP
CHAIRMAN, WE MET WITH CITY
COMMISSIONERS AND SCHOOL
BOARDS IN CAMERON COUNTY TO
BETTER LA RAZA. VIVA RAMIRO RAMSEY
MUNIZ.
Irma Mireles from San Antonio, Texas
Monday, 5/28/12, 3:44 PM
”Glad to see que las mujeres are main
speakers. Even though few of us ran for
office we were/are the backbone. More
needs to be written about the role de la
mujer dentro el Partido but of course we
have to be the ones to do it. Hope we can
do some of it at this reunion.”
Ernesto & Ruby T. Calderon from Austin,
Texas
“Our activity centered around the Central
Texas Area. We organized McLennen
County and surrounding communities.
Ramsey Muñiz was working in Waco at
the outset of Raza Unida organizing
activity and it was from here that he filed
for Governor under the Raza Unida
banner.
I was the first State Treasurer for the
party. Our organizing activity untilmately
covered most of the state. Certainly, the
Raza Unida campaign took us North
(Corsicana, Ft. Worth, and Dallas,
east(Marlin, College Station, and
Houston and west (San Angelo and
Lubbock) of Waco.
During the 1972 campaign, it was our
responsibility to maintain a state
headquarters for the Ramsey Muniz
campaign, which we did. It was located
at 13th & Clay Avenue. All of our
literature, bumper stickers, etc., came out
of this office. We were similarly involved
in the 1974 campaign but to a lesser
extict because the Muñiz campaign was
run out of San Antonio by then.”
Thank you,
Ernesto & Ruby T. Calderon
Lorenzo Cano
(713)480-8358 cell
Associate Director
Center for Mexican American Studies
University of Houston
Houston, Texas 77204-3001
“I was a past-member of the Nueces
County and the Harris County Raza
Unida Party”
May 31st, 2012
Alberto Luera (832) 459-9819
“Tony Bil worked was an activist in Jim
Wells County, He Inherited his father in
laws meat market (Dan’s Meat
Processing Plant - Alice, Texas) Had a
reunion four years ago sponsored by
Texas A&I University Married Diana
Franco Ph.DAnother activist is Rafael
Trevino is with Community Action
Council in Alice, Texas both were MAYO
board members. Efrain Hernandez from
Kingsville organizer. He has been
teaching in Pharr San Juan School
District”
Page 15
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Comentarios de los que estaban allí
6-4-2012
Irma Muniz (409) 363-1878
5403 Everhart Rd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
409-363-1878
[email protected]
www.freeramsey.com
www.freeramsey.blogspot.com
www.studentsfreeramsey.blogspot.com
Today, I publish TIEMPO Newspaper (30
years since 1982) in Waco and serve as
national Pubic Relations Chair for the
National Free Ramsey Muniz
Committee.”
“I will be attend the reunion.”
”La Revolucion no ha terminado!”
June 12, 2012
6/15/2012
Juan B. Garcia
101 S. 17 St.
Donna,Tx.78537
Richard Cortez ad Freddy Blanco from
Houston, Texas write: “ We are coming ot
the reunion. Alla nos vemos!”
“I grew up with Ramiro Ramsey Muñiz.
He promised me he would help our
people as he saw us hungry, poor and
sick and denied equality. He kept his
word! I campaigned for him here in
Travis County. My family mostly in
Nueces County. My mother Juanita
Perez Rea made thousands of tamales
for Ramsey. She would campaign and
give people a tamale. Viva mi Madre! y
VIVA MI RAZA UNIDA PARTIDO! I did not
run for office. I was a young mother but I
am Chicana proud til the end!
“My name is Juan Botello Garcia.I was a
Raza Unida organizer, and one of the
three candidates that ran under La Raza
Unida banner in Harlingen City
Commission in December 11, 1973.
We lost but we made the gringos waste
chingos de feria en la campana.Frist time
ever a three Chicano slate ran against
los gringos.The other two were Enrique
“Kiko” Salazar Raza Unida County
Party chairman and Anselmo Treto
Garza Raza Unida Party organizer.”
Ernesto Fraga from Waco, Texas writes:
Hola companeros,
“My initial work with Raza Unida began
with MAYO in Waco. Along with Ramsey
Muniz and eventual former Mayor of
Waco Rolando Arriola, I helped to
establish the MAYO newspaper “El
Golpe Avisa” and later established “El
Coraje Chicano.” Other Chicano
Newspapers with which I collaborated
with were “Regeneracion II” in San Juan,
Texas and “La Conciencia” in Austin.
While in Austin, I was campaign
chairman for Juan Hipolito, who ran for
Travis County Treasurer. Other efforts
included Brown Beret organizing and
more recently, Committee for the
Defense of Latino Immigrants relating to
Immigration reform and the abolishment
of Detention Centers.
Ernesto Fraga
Montserrat Garibay from Austin, Texas
writes:
“I am excited about the La Raza Party
Reunion, specially since President
Obama has granted administrative relief
to all DREAMERS. This is a small step
but I am hopeful that we are going in the
right direction. I will try to make it on
Wednesday. I have a conference in San
Marcos from Tuesday to Friday. “
Elaine Schele, PhD
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Art Department
Austin Community College
Dear Mr. Santos,
“I just heard about the Reunion and I am
wondering if I might attend. I am not a
member of the party, but I have a great
interest in Mexican-American history and
would love to attend this historic event.”
Thank you,
Elaine Schele, PhD
ANTONIO RIOS JR. from Crystal City,
Texas states: Two of us will be attending
the Reunion in Austin, Texas
Max Krochmal, Ph.D.
Department of History
Texas Christian University
TCU Box 297260
2850 S. University Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76129
Clotilde’ Rea Sofikitis writes:
Eliseo Solis, Josefina Solis
1501 E 2nd St
Lubbock Texas, 79403
806-224-6533-Eliseo
210-867-1048-Josefina
“We are coming to the reunion in Austin.”
Luis Guerra from San Luis Potosi,
Mexico writes:
My Raza Unida Days
I became involved with Raza Unida when
Ramsey Muñiz ran for governor. Carlos
Guerra, his campaign manager, had
seen a Chicano magazine I had
designed, and asked me to do their
graphics. I also did work for Armando
Gutiérrez’s campaign for state rep. We’d
have silk-screening parties where gente
would pitch in to print posters. It was a
time of working together and helping
each other out.
I remember borrowing Linda del
Toro’s Volkswagen bug: my truck had
broken down, I had no money, and I had
to get to the radio stations. We also
painted a huge Ramsey Muñiz banner,
wrapped it around a hot-air balloon, and
flew it over the Austin barrios on election
day. It was a beautiful sight!
Continued on page 16
Page 16
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Comentarios (continued)
María Elena Martínez told me later that teachers in East Austin
had taken their students out for recess just as the balloon passed
over the schoolyard. Some time later, thanks to Marta Cotera, all
the campaign artwork became part of the Latin American Collection
at UT Austin.
After the elections, the energy was undiminished. The Austin
contingent went on to open a food cooperative, and we even tried
communal gardens. It was a time of restored pride in our heritage. I
went on to do poster art for the Texas Farmworkers’ March to
Washington.
The Farmworkers had their own reunion recently, in San Juan. It
was wonderful to visit with them, and I’m looking forward to the Raza
Unida Reunion. The Chicano Movement helped to create a
newfound respect for the indios de América. I had always felt that
this land I was born in had much to teach and that its natives
possessed a treasure trove of ancient knowledge and wisdom.
In the 80s, I moved to a small town, Real de Catorce, in the
mountains of San Luis Potosí, a sacred site of the Huichol
Indians. After observing their lifestyle and participating in their
ceremonies, I realized that theirs is a true civilization, in deep
harmony with the Earth. And this is so, for all indigenous nations
that honor the Earth and themselves.
I continue to paint. For some years now, I’ve also been telling
my stories about life in Mexico on NPR’s Latino USA. I’ve also
been writing screenplays with my brother Victor; we’re currently
working on our third one.”www.GaleriaGuerra.com
Javier H. Salinas
7125 Bending Oak Road
Austin, Texas 78749
512.699.5933
[email protected] writes:
I was born and raised in Pearsall, Texas. My parents, Alfredo
and Alma Salinas were involved with La Raza Unida Party along
with the Rodriquez, Yanez, and other families.
As a kid, I remember participating in parades put on to raise
awareness about voting and the Raza Unida Party. We would
dress up in traditional Mexican outfits, sit on top of a zarape that
was carefully placed on top of a car and ride around the streets
of Pearsall.
All of this was done on the Mexican side of the tracks. Getting
out the vote was the desired outcome. I remember there was
tension not only between the anglos and those promoting the
Raza Unida movement but also among the Mexican Americans
in Pearsall. It was a town divided, The Raza Unida did affect
change in Pearsall giving a voice to many that could no longer
remain silent.
Bidal
Aguero
Lubbock
Mr. & Mrs. Albino
Santos
Crystal City
Francisco
Alcala
Crystal City
Oralia
Alvarado
Crystal City
Maria
Alvarado
Crystal City
Erasamo
Andrade
All over
Olivia
Avila
Crystal City
Luis
Avila
Crystal City
Francisco
Benavidez
Crystal City
Stephen
Casanova
San Antonio
Elva
Castillo
Crystal City
Pepa
Coronado
Crystal City
Guadalupe
Cortinas
Crystal City
Manuel
Cortinas, Jr.
Crystal City
Carmen
Cuevas
Crystal City
Irene
Cuellar
Batesville
Ramoncito
De La Fuente
Crystal City
Ramon
De La Fuente
Crystal City
Elena
Diaz
Crystal City
Marcos
Esquivel
Rodolfo
Espinoza, Sr.
Crystal City
Maria
Facio
Crystal City
Mague
Coronado Flores
Crystal City
Zulema
Flores
Crystal City
Carrizo Springs
Page 17
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Memorial Page
All of the individuals below gave their time, efforts, y a veces su dinero, to make the
dream of La Raza Unida Party a reality. They were not afraid to stand up and not afraid of
what othes said or thought. They believed in their heart that people needed to stand up and
be counted. Qué en paz descansen.
Doña Elvirita de la
Fuente
Crystal City
Jesse
Gamez
Crystal City
& San Antonio
Roberto
Gamez
Crystal City
Angel
Gonzales
Crystal City
Carlos
Guerra
Robstown
& San Antonio
Enriqueta
Palacios
Crystal City
Manuel
Palacios
Crystal City
Olivia
Perez
Crystal City
Lidia
Perez
Crystal City
Francisco
Prado
Batesville
Rosario
Puente
Crystal City
Amador
Guerrero
Crystal City
Pablo
Puente
Crystal City
Anita
Hernandez
Crystal City
Carlos A.
Quirino, Sr.
Lubbock
Nacho
Hernandez
Crystal City
Manuel
Reyes
San Antono
Octaviano
Hernandez
Crystal City
Francisco “Panchillo” Rodriguez
Crystal City
Alfredo
Limon
San Antonio
Fr. Manuel
Roman, OFM.
Sara
Lopez
Crystal City
Uvalde and
San Antonio
Richard
Lopez
Eliseo
Sanchez
Crystal City
Ruben
Sandoval
San Antonio
Crystal City and
Stockton, California
Marilu
Masignani
Crystal City
Julian
Salas
Crystal City
Guadalupe
Mata
Crystal City
Manuel
Salas, Sr.
Crystal City
Higinio
Mata
Crystal City
Juanita
Santos
Crystal City
Ramon “Monche”
Mata
Crystal City
Olivia
Serna
Crystal City
Eulogia
Mena
Crystal City
Mague
Serna
Crystal City
Olga
Mena
Crystal City
Josefa
Torres
Crystal City
David
Mendoza
Crystal City
Jose Angel
Torres
Crystal City
Reynaldo
Mendoza
Crystal City
Rudy
Torres
Crystal City
Jose
Montalvo
San Antonio
Romula
Villalobos
Crystal City
Virginia
Muzquiz
Crystal City
Jesus
Villalobos
Crystal City
Estevan
Najera, Sr.
La Pryor
Rita
Yanas
Crystal City
Page 18
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
MARIA ELENA MARTINEZ-RUP Planning Committee Member reflects:
“During the years that La Raza
Unida Party was politically
active, Little Joe was one of its
strongest public supporters.
During
Raza
Unida’s
gubernatorial campaign, I and
other RUP supporters would
show up at events throughout
Texas where Little Joe y La
Familia was performing. Little
Joe would let us set up a RUP
table at his shows, where we were
allowed to politic and to register voters. Later during the show he would always call us up to the stage and
introduce us to the crowds. He would wear Raza Unida buttons and would encourage others to do so. And in the
end of the shows, he would always play and dedicate “Las Nubes” to Ramsey Muniz. Little Joe has always been
politically astute. He clearly understands all of the political and Chicano issues. One could tell that his support for
La Raza Unida Party came from his heart. He was not afraid to speak out against police brutality and other
similar issues. And to date he has not remained quiet about issues affecting “Nuestra Gente.”
Maria Elena Martienz, Little Joe and José Angel Gutierrez
Little Joe in Berkeley, California, 1973
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
SPECIAL
RECOGNITION
TO LITTLE JOE
JOSE MARIA DE LEON
HERNANDEZ AKA
LITTLE JOE: “La Raza
Unida Party made nuestra
gente politically wise, and
more willing to act on issues
we were previously afraid
to confront. It certainly was
a rude awakening. It made
it possible for other
Chicanos to eventually get
elected. It’s a fact that Raza
Unida
was
a
SRINGBOARD. It’s also a
fact that Raza Unida
changed the political
landscape, not just in
Texas, but nationwide.
Unknowingly, many of the
past
and
present
officeholders owe some
gratitude to La Raza Unida
Party.”
Page 19
Page 20
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
How has the Hispanic/Latino Population
Changed over the Years in Texas?
Demographic Shifts
In 1970, the Hispanic population in
Texas was almost 2 million. In 1980, it
climbed to almost 4 million. This was
also the year that the tem “Hispanic”
became official label for people with last
names like Hernandez, Garcia and
Soto.
As you examine the table below you
will see that the Hispanic popuation more
than doubled by the 1990 Census. In
2000, the growth curtailed a bit with a
count of 6.6 million people más o menos.
DID YOU KNOW?
With the 2010 count completed, the
Hispanic population is now approaching
10 million people in the State of Texas.
W hat does that mean? Why is it
important? Some people say that it
represents a coming political power.
Others say that it represents a
tremendous workforce pool from which
to draw laborers. And still others say that
the continued growth of the Hispanic
population means nothing if as a group
they do not turn out to vote.
There is a lot of speculation about what
a continued growth of the Hispanic
population might mean for the United
States. But as of recent, there has been
a reported decrease in the number of
people trying to come across the border.
And in some states where strict antiimmigrant laws have been passed, there
has been an exodus of Hispanics who
have gone in search of work somewhere
elelse. What the growth of the Hispanic
population means will continue to be
debated over the years.
Texas Population Growth from 1970 to 2010
YEARS
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
White
9,717,128
11,198,441
12,774,762
14,799,505
17,701,552
African American
1,399,005
1,710,175
2,021,632
2,404,566
2,979,598
American Indian
or Alaskan Native
17,957
40,075
65,877
118,362
170,972
Asian
20,641
120,313
319,459
562,319
964.596
14,434
21,656
Native Hawaii or
Pacific Islander
Some other race
41,999
1,160,187
1,804,780
2,438,001
2,628,186
Two or more races
N/A
N/A
N/A
514,633
697,001
Hispanic/Latino
1,981,861
2,985,824
4,339,905
6,669,666
9,460,921
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Page 21
¿Cómo ha cambiado la población
Hispana en Tejas a travez de los años?
Future Projections
The Texas Data Center and the Office of the State
Demographer project that the state’s population will
increase by 71.5 percent between 2000 and 2040,
from 20.9 million to 35.8 million.The 2040 projected
population of 35.8 million is a 151 percent increase
from the 1980 population of 14.2 million.
By 2040, the Texas state demographer projects
that the share of the population aged 65 or older in
Texas will nearly double, to 18.0 percent. Nationally,
the U.S. Census Bureau projects that Americans aged
65 or older will comprise 20.4 percent of the population.
By 2020, the Texas Hispanic population is expected
to outnumber the White population (Exhibit 8).
Between 2000 and 2040 the Hispanic population will
triple in Texas’ urban areas, from 5.9 million to 17.2
million. In rural areas, the Hispanic population is
expected to double, from 777,000 to 1.6 million.
In 1980, the Hispanic population of Texas was just
under 3 million. By 2040, there will be 18.8 million
Hispanics in Texas.
This projection indicates that the Hispanic population
will grow by 530 percent from 1980 to 2040. These
changes are being driven both by high immigration
rates and high birth rates. According to the state’s
demographer, from 1980 to 2040, the White population
of Texas will grow from 9.4 million to 11.5 million. The
percentage of Whites will sharply decrease, from 66
percent in 1980 to only 32 percent in 2040. The Black
population of Texas will grow from 1.7 million in 1980
to 3.4 million in 2040. The percentage of Blacks will
decrease slightly from 12 percent in 1980 to 10 percent
in 2040.
Texas Population Growth, 1980–2040
Population projections, in millions
Page 22
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
De parte de mi familia y mis
amigos en Cristal donde yo nací,
quiero felicitar a todos los que
asistieán a la reunión de la Raza
Unida en Austin, Texas.
The Law Offices of Roberto R. Alonzo
400 S Zang Blvd # 810 Dallas, TX 75208-6643
(214) 941-8200
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Page 23
Texas Counties Where
La Raza Unida Party Ran
or Supported Candidates Locally
On the following pages are the candidates who
ran under the banner of La Raza Unida Party
or with the support of the party. The list is a
work in progress in that more information needs
to be added to it to make it complete.
Bexar
Brewster
Caldwell
Cameron
Dimmit
El Paso
Hays
Harris
Hidalgo
La Salle
Lubbock
Mclennan
Nueces
Reeves
Travis
Zavala
If anyone has information on candidates who ran as Raza Unida or were supported by Raza Unida, let us know. Some claim that there was Raza Unida
activity in over 40 Texas counties.
Page 24
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
1970
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
April 4, 1970 Elections
Jose Angel Gutierrez
Crystal City School Board
1,344
E.W. Ritchie
1,119
Arturo Gonzales
Crystal City School Board
1,344
Rafael Tovar
1,090
Mike Perez
Crystal City School Board
1,397
Luz Arcos
1,081
April 7th, 1970 Election
Ventura Gonzalez
Crystal City Council
1,341
Emmett Sevilla
835
Pablo Puente
Crystal City Council
1,306
Charlie Crawford
820
November Elections
Julian Salas
Zavala County Judge
925
Carmen Flores
Zavala County Treasurer
811
Isaac Juarez
Zavala County Clerk
776
Ramon de la Fuente
Zavala Co. Comm. Prec. # 2
528
Esteban Najera
Zavala Co. Comm. Prec. # 4
97
234
Jose Serna
Zavala Co. Comm. Precinct
288
346
Manuel Palacios
Justice of the Peace Precinct # 2
524
804
Pedro Contreras
Justice of the Peace Precinct # 3
La Salle County
#3
1,502
All La Raza Unida
Party candidates ran
as write-in candidates and all lost
1,496
1,502
774
La Salle County
Alfredo Zamora, Jr.
Mayor of Cotulla
587
Paul Cotulla
584
Enrique Jimenez
City Council
636
Claude Franklin, Jr.
493
George Carpenter, Sr.
City Council
667
Ray Kreck
439
Alfredo Ramirez
City Council
530
Arthur Hill
575
Reynaldo Garcia
School Board
667
Chester Bell, Jr.
536
Rogelio Maldonado
School Board
693
F. D. Henrichman
524
November Elections
Roel Rodriguez
Co Comm. Prct. # 3
(Ran a write-in campaign and won)
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Page 25
1970 (continued)
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Dimmit County
Rufino Cabello
Mayor Carrizo Springs
711
Joe Schmitt
470
Jesus Rodriguez
City Council
639
Eddie Leonard
423
Opponent
Votes
(Later both switched to independents)
Hidalgo County
????? ONE CANDIDATE and he lost
1971
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Zavala County
School board elections held on April 3, 1971
Rudy Palomo
School Board
1,657
Teodoro Muñoz
1,236
Eddie Treviño
School Board
1,688
Alma Ramon
1,218
City Council elections held on April 6, 1971
Better Gov Slate
Independents
Jose Talamantez
City Council
1,622
Paulino Mata
911 Roberto Cornejo 40
Roberto Gamez
City Council
1,626
Santos Nieto
891 Ralph Garcia
Frank Benevides
City Council
1,649
Gilberto Salazar 890 Marina Garcia
4
4
Page 26
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
1972
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
School board Elections held on April 1, 1972
Jose Mata
School Board
1,707
Julian Saldivar
845
Alberto Sanchez
School Board
1,727
Emmett Sevilla
840
Ester Ynoscencio
69
City Council Elections held on April 4, 1972
Ventura Gonzalez
City Council
1,745
Hector Ramon
517
Pablo Puente
City Council
1,741
Eusevio Salinas
552
General Election in November
Ray Perez
County Judge
1,949
R. A. Taylor
912
Jose Serna
Sheriff
2,005
C. L. Sweeten
1,883
Elena Diaz
County Comm Pct 3
403
Santos Nieto
303
Rudy Espinoza, Jr.
JP Precinct # 2
557
Moses Garcia
JP Precinct # 3
487
No oppoent
A.G. Bermea
County Tax Assessor
1,871
Martha Cruz
2,026
Juan Guzman
County Com Pct 1
338
Felipe Torres
466
Hector Mata
Constable Pct 1
351
M. L. Blackman
404
Antonio Rios
Constable Pct 4
593
Lonzo Bostic
628
548
Statewide General Election
Flores Amaya
United States Senate
41,946
Alma Canales
Lt. Governor
88,811
Fred Garza, Jr.
Rail Road Commissioner
106,397
Ramsey Muñiz
Governor
214,118
Ruben Solis, Jr.
State Treasurer
83,799
All La Raza Unida Party
candidates who ran statewide lost.
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Page 27
1973
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
Crystal City Council Elections held April 3, 1973
Ramon “Monche” Mata
City Council
1,542
Eliseo Sanchez
1,024
Jose D. Cuevas
City Council
1,543
Roberto Cornejo
990
Richard Diaz
City Council
1,526
Martha Garza
991
Crystal City School Board Elections held on April 7, 1973
Ernesto Olguin
School Board
1,657
Mike Perez
1,223
Viviana Santiago
School Board
1,642
Jose R. Mata
1,205
Ramon Garza
School Board
1,661
Elfego Martinez
1,201
Hays County
Hector Chavana
San Marcos City Council
Place # 6
Daniel De Leon
City Marshall
Andres Gamez
City Council
Geronimo Flores
School Board Place # 1
Phil Waters
School Board Place # 2
Bill Dibre
Herb Yarbrough
Caldwell County
Bernardo Rangel
City Commissioner Place 4
David Serrato
City Commissioner Place 4
Jim Hogg County
Juan Cantu
Hebbronville ISD Pct. # 4
?
There is a Nueces County LRUP active in 1973.
Andres Hinojosa was the LRUP Chair in Jim Hogg County
Page 28
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
That young man at the top of the opposite page was me way
back in 1973. Although the years have passed,
I remain the same man in spirit and determination.
I want to wish everyone a great reunion in Austin, Texas!
The Law Offices
of Hector Chavana
2702 Little York Rd. Houston, TX 77093 (713) 236-9900
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
SOURCE: This page was taken from the March 30th, 2012 of
the Chicano Times Volume IV Number 13, which was
published in San Antonio, Texas. Jose Luis Rodriguez
was the editor.
Page 29
Page 30
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
1974
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Harris County
Raza Unida Primary Election
Maria Jimenez
State Representative District # 87
69
Victor Vega
State Representative District # 97
34
Ruben Rabago
State Representative Disrict # 79
28
Tatcho Mindiola
RUP County Chairman
235
General Election
Ruben Rabago
State Representative District # 79
305 (3.9%)
Victor Vega
State Representative District # 97
335 (3.45%)
Maria Jimenez
State Representative District # 87
970 (17.2%)
Fred Garza, Jr.
Rail Road Commissioner
9,787 (in Travis County)
Ramsey Muniz
Governor
All candidates lost
190,000
Travis County
General Election
Raymond Donley Jr.
Comm. Pre # 4
1,022
Oralia Cole
State Representative
2,365
Armando Gutierrez
State Representative 37 Pl 4
2,404
Juan Hipolito
Treasurer
9,713
Paz Peña
State Representative 37 Pl 1
3,703
Jose Torres
County School Superintendent
All
candidates
lost
11,774
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (512) 391-2305
Fax: (512) 391-2306
Mailing Address:
Workers Defense Project
5604 Manor RD
Austin, TX 78723
Page 31
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
1974 (continued)
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
Crystal City School Board Elections
Raul T. Flores
School Board
1,478
Dora Garza
Mercedes “Chachi” Casarez
School Board
1,471
Roberto Hernandez
Crystal City Council Elections
Lupe Cortinas
City Council
1,440
Pedro A. Contreras
789
Arturo Gonzalez
City Council
1,442
Marina Balboa
779
Zavala County Primary Election
Jose Angel Gutierrez
County Judge
1,746
Manual Espinoza, Jr.
County Judge
213
Virginia Musquiz
County Clerk
Carmen Flores
County Treasurer
Rosa Mata
District Clerk
Hortencia Treviño
County Comm Pct. 2
427
Jose Talamantez
County Comm Pct 2
139
Benito Perez
JP Pct. 2
Esteban Najera
County Comm Pct 4
Rosa Quijano
JP Pct 4
Irene Morales
JP Pct 1
Jose Luis Balderas
Precint Chair # 3
Rudy Espinoza
Precinct Chair # 5
Elpidio Lizcano
Precinct Chair # 6
Eliseo Solis
Precinct Chair # 7
All were unoppossed
in the primary
except Jose Angel Gutierrez
Page 32
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
1974 (continued)
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
General Election
Jose Angel Gutierrez
County Judge
1,968
Ira Taylor
1,702
Viginira Musquiz
County Clerk
1,950
Georgia L. Price
1,742
Carmen Flores
County Treasurer
1,977
Pernla Dennis
1,714
Esteban Najera
County Comm Pct 4
590
E.A. Easter
588
Irene Cuellar Morales
JP # 1
370
Bert Banner
?
El Paso County
Mr. Cisneros ran for Justice of the Peace with La Raza Unida Party in El Paso County in 1974. Mr.
Cisneros was born in El Paso, Texas on July 23, 1949. He attended local schools, Aoy and Hart
Elementary, then he went on to Bowie High School where he graduated in 1969. With the help of the
Upward Bound Program and the Mexican-American Youth Association, Mr. Cisneros attended
Colorado State University for one quarter semester, and then transfered to UTEP. At this university,
Mr. Cisneros receibed his B.A. degree in Political Science in 1973.
Dr. Mariano Diaz-Miranda
History Professor at
Austin Community College
Manda Saludos a Todos
Dr. Nestor Rodriguez
Felicita a todos en su
reunion en Austin, Tx
COLLECTING ORAL HISTORIES OF ACTIVISTS IN DFW
AND BEYOND ʹ PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFO
Page 33
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
1975
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
Crystal City School Board Elections held on April 5th, 1975
Abelardo Marquez
School Board
1,563
Alberto Sanchez
431
Jose Luis Balderas
School Board
1,565
Javier Ramon
430
Crystal City Council Elections
Jose D. Cuevas
City Council
1,522
Juan Cornejo
560
Eugenio “Gene” Ruiz
City Council
1,519
Beatrice Espinoza
554
Ambrosio Melendrez
City Council
1,541
Henry Flores
560
1976
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Travis County
Paul Velez
Travis County Chairman
N/A
Emilio Zamora
Travis County Chairman
N/A
Harris County
General Election
Carmen Zapata
County Chair
Idefonso Ruiz
Constable Precinct # 6
Eduardo Canales
State Representative District # 87 266 votes ( 2.6%)
Fred Garza, Jr.
Rail Road Commissioner
611 votes (2.4%)
5,936
Page 34
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
1976 (continued)
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
Crystal City School Board Elections
Original Raza Unida
New Guard Raza Unida
Ernesto Olguin
School Board
1,149
José Luis Galvan
1,450
Jose O. Mata
School Board
1,139
Henry Rivera
1,444
Jesus Salas
School Board
1,125
Rudy Palomo
1,438
Crystal City Council Elections
Olivia Serna
City Council
1,056
Francisco Benevides
1,271
Pablo Puente
City Council
1,042
Victor Lopez
1,231
Independents
Juan Cornejo
65
Roberto Diaz
18
Raza Unida Primary Elections May 1, 1976
Crispin Treviño
Sheriff
1,254
Elena Diaz
County Commissioner
369
Ramon Garza
1,071
Rudy Espinoza, Jr.
360
November General Elections
Crispin Treviño
Sheriff
1,425
Elfego Martinez
2,079
Richard Diaz
County Tax Assessor
2,172
Martha Cruz
1,313
Francisco Prado, Jr.
County Commissioner
Precinct # 1
328
Felipe Torres
406
Ventura Goznalez
Constable Precinct # 2
375
Cecil Holt
503
Elena Diaz
County Commissioner
Precinct # 3
376
Jesse Gamez
County Commissioner
Precinct # 3
357
N/A
(write-in)
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Page 35
1976 (continued)
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
Raza Unida Primary Elections May 1, 1976
Gregoria Delgado
JP Precinct # 4
N/A
Guadalupe C. Mata
Constable Precinct # 1
N/A
Pablo Avila
County Attorney
N/A
Unoppossed
1977
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Crystal City School Board Elections
Victor Castillo
School Board
1,107
Ramon Garza
1,238
Juan Guzman
School Board
1,089
Jesse Gamez
1,126
Crystal City Council Elections (April 2, 1977)
Jose D. Cuevas
City Council
1,121
Ramon “Monche” Mata
1,140
Hilario B. Lozano
City Council
1,102
Blanca Gamez
1,206
Olivia Serna
City Council
1,124
Rudy Espinoza, Jr.
1,198
We are proud to have been a small part in
the political awakening of our people
Happy 40th Anniversary
Raza Unida Party of Texas
Ernesto & Ruby T. Calderón
Austin, Texas
Page 36
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
1978
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
Crystal City School Board Elections
Esmeralda R. Torres
School Board
1,123
Ramon Martinez
730
won
Jose D. Cuevas
School Board
1,241
Jesus Menchaca
719
won
Crystal City Council Elections
Victor Lopez
City Council
1,129
Francisco Benevides
698
won
Luis R. Avila
City Council
1,197
Eliseo Sanchez
665
won
Primary Elections
Jose Angel Gutierrez
County Judge
Esteban Najera
County Commissioner
Precinct # 4
191
County Commissioner
Precinct # 4
401
Alejandro Perez
Jose L. Talamantez
County Commissioner
Precinct # 2
582
Frank Guerrero Jr.
614
Margarita Gonzalez
District Clerk
1,908
Rosa Elva Mata
2,055
Diana Palacios Garcia
County Clerk
1.981
Rosaria T. Avila
1,965
Alfredo G. Sanchez
Justice of the Peace
Precinct 1
414
Bert Baxter
417
Carmen Flores
County Treasurer
2,022
Margaret Williams
1,914
Harris County
General Election
Daniel Bustamante
State Representative
District # 79
Mario Compean
Governor
Luis Diaz De Leon
U.S. Senate
267 votes ( 2.7%)
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Page 37
1979
LRUP
Candidate
Office Sought
Votes
Opponent
Votes
Zavala County
Crystal City School Board Elections
Margaret Flores
School Board
1,577
Fidel Benavides
1,098
Pablo Puente
School Board
1,532
Miguel “Mike” Delgado
1,260
Juan “Topper” Perez
School Board
1,525
Francisco J. Martinez
1,126
Ninfa Moncada
School Board
N/A
José R. “Chema” Mata
Crystal City Council Elections
Rodolfo “Rudy” Espinoza Jr.
City Council
1,514
Ramon “Monche” Mata
1,005
Olivia Serna
City Council
1,572
Juan Cornejo
963
Juan E. Hernandez
City Council
1,443
Roberto Cornejo
970
Page 38
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
La Raza Unida Party Reunion
Notes
La Raza Unida Party Reunion Program Book - 2012
Planning Committee
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, Front Row: Anita Quintanilla, Maria Elena Martinez, Modesta Treviño, Alma Valdez,
Ruby T. Calderon, Linda Del Toro, TOP ROW: Hector Gaucin, Ricardo Chavira, Ernesto Calderon, Frank Campos,
Dr. Emilio Zamora, Avina Crystal Gutierrez, Pablo Avila, Gilbert Rivera.
LEFT: Martha Cotera
ABOVE: Lorenzo Cano,
Houston, Texas
RIGHT: Erneto and Ruby T.
Calderon with
Dr. Emilio Zamora
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