First Mexican-American Federal Judge. Born the son of Mexican immigrants in Brownsville, Texas, he earned a law degree at the University of Texas in 1939. During WW II, he served in the Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1945 and returned to private law practice in Brownsville. In 1961, President Kennedy appointed him the first Latino federal district judge. He served the Southern District of Texas for 18 years, the last five as its chief judge. In 1979, he became the first Mexican American appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals after President Carter nominated him for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, where he served till 1982. President Carter offered him the Cabinet post of attorney general, but he turned him down. Cause of death pneumonia, in a hospital in Brownsville, Texas at age 89.
First Mexican-American Federal Judge. Born the son of Mexican immigrants in Brownsville, Texas, he earned a law degree at the University of Texas in 1939. During WW II, he served in the Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1945 and returned to private law practice in Brownsville. In 1961, President Kennedy appointed him the first Latino federal district judge. He served the Southern District of Texas for 18 years, the last five as its chief judge. In 1979, he became the first Mexican American appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals after President Carter nominated him for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, where he served till 1982. President Carter offered him the Cabinet post of attorney general, but he turned him down. Cause of death pneumonia, in a hospital in Brownsville, Texas at age 89.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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