Kennedy. They also revere him as a visionary. an insatiable reader and student of history whose warnings of German resurgence and allega. tions of illegal U.S. military interventions may be validated over time. Many In the westside barrios here worship Gonzalez as an inspirational man of the peoplethe Americanborn son of Mexican Immigrants who clawed past discrimination barriers to a law degree and lawmakln. a bigshot who lives modestly. mixes warimly with common folk and heaps affection on his eight children and 20 grandchildren. "In a number of homes. there are pictures of John Kennedy in one corner and Henry Gonzalez In the other. and in the middle is the Vision of Guadalupe with a candle." said Frank Herrera. chairman of the MexcanAmerican Legal Defense Fund. "Henry B. has almost saintlike status." Above all. Gonzalez is admired for ais fighting spirit in the political arena. "Hell take on a MexlcanAmerican or an Anglo indiscriminately. and hell pull you out into the middle of the street in full stnshine." said Maury Maverick Jr.. a liberal San Antonio newspaper columinist and former state legislator who once competed with Gonzalez In a run for governor. "Hes meaner than a riled cat when he goes after you.-As chairman of the Banking Committee. Gonzalez is credited with displaying fairness as well as toughness.
Keywords matched
Immigrants