HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOSEPH BERNAL

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOSEPH BERNAL

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)] [House] [Page H694] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOSEPH BERNAL (Mr. CASTRO of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Joseph Bernal, a veteran, educator, and pillar of San Antonio and Texas politics who passed away on January 25. Born on San Antonio's westside during the Great Depression, Dr. Bernal graduated from Lanier High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army where he supported postwar reconstruction efforts in Japan. Upon his return to San Antonio, he earned a bachelor's degree through the GI Bill, which was soon followed by a master's degree and a Ph.D. As a young teacher, he witnessed the grave inequities facing Hispanic students, an experience that would lead him to elected office in the Texas Legislature and the State Board of Education, where he fought to repeal laws that banned speaking Spanish in public schools, championed the State's first bilingual education law, and led efforts to create the University of Texas at San Antonio and the UT Health Science Center. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate the life and service of a trailblazer who will be long remembered in my hometown and across the State of Texas. ____________________