James Norton: “I join with Mr. Ortiz of Brownsville, Texas, in supporting H.R. 1402, a bill to name the courthouse in Brownsville…”

“I join with Mr. Ortiz of Brownsville, Texas, in supporting H.R. 1402, a bill to name the courthouse in Brownsville, Texas as the Reynaldo G. Garza--Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse. Mr. Speaker, this bill honors the life and works of two extraordinary Mexican-Americans. Judge Reynaldo Garza was born in Brownsville in 1915. He graduated from local elementary schools as well as Brownsville High School. After graduating from Brownsville Junior College he attended the University of Texas where he received a combined degree of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law. Judge Garza served his country during World War II in the Air Force. After the war he returned to Brownsville to practice law. In 1961 President Kennedy appointed Judge Garza to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In 1979 President Carter appointed him to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In addition to his judicial duties Judge Garza has long been interested in education issues.”