WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) announced that President Barack Obama has signed his legislation into law to name El Paso’s federal courthouse in honor of the late El Paso judge and prominent civil rights leader Albert Armendariz. The legislation (H.R. 2053) was sent to the President’s desk after passing both the House and the Senate unanimously in September.
“This is a proud moment for the El Paso community and for Hispanics around the nation,” Congressman Reyes said. “Judge Armendariz’s contributions to the advancement of civil rights helped change the landscape for Hispanics throughout America, and his legacy will forever be remembered at El Paso’s new federal courthouse. I hope future generations of El Pasoans will not only appreciate his important contributions to our country but also be inspired by his life story and achievements. I thank President Obama for signing this bill into law, and extend my appreciation to my colleagues in Congress for supporting this legislation."
Judge Armendariz was a prominent civil rights leader who practiced law for 57 years in El Paso. The legislation to name the new El Paso federal courthouse after Armendariz was introduced by Congressman Reyes on April 22 in the House of Representatives. On September 9, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the legislation and the Senate passed the measure through unanimous consent on September 24. President Obama signed the legislation early this week at the White House.
Judge Albert Armendariz is best known for his civil rights advocacy that helped change the landscape for Latinos nationwide. In 1954, Armendariz helped argue Hernandez v. the State of Texas in the United States Supreme Court, a landmark case that established Latinos as a distinct class entitled to protection under the 14th Amendment. In the 1970’s Armendariz represented the Mexican American Legal Defense Educational Fund (MALDEF) in another historic case, Alvarado v. El Paso Independent School District, which fought against discriminatory practices in El Paso public schools.
Albert Armendariz was born on August 11, 1919 in El Paso, and was one of seven children. He graduated from El Paso High School in 1934 and married his high school sweetheart. He worked as a shoe salesman and auto mechanic before serving in World War II. Following the war, he used his benefits under the GI Bill to attend college and graduated from the Texas College of Mines (now the University of Texas at El Paso). He received his law degree from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1950 and returned to El Paso to practice law.
Armendariz was a tireless and passionate advocate for civil rights. He served as the National President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and was a founding member and past National President of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and was also a founding member of the Mexican American Bar Association. In the late 1950’s and ‘60’s, Armendariz served on the El Paso Civil Service Commission and helped bring more Hispanics into the El Paso Police and Fire Departments.
From 1976 to 1985, Armendariz served as an administrative judge for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. He was then appointed to the 8th Court of Appeals of Texas.
Judge Armendariz passed away on October 4, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Maria Jauregui. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, Mary Lou, who died in 1993.
Armendariz worked until his death and received numerous awards for his achievements and commitment to social justice. He was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards by LULAC, MALDEF and the Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project. In 2006, the El Paso Bar Association honored him with the inaugural Albert Armendariz Award. In the later years of his life, he continued to advocate for the rights of immigrants.
Congressman Reyes and Mayor Cook announce $8.25 million in federal funding to expand affordable housing
"Paisano 'green' project" will transform vacant apartment complex next to the Coliseum into a new 64-unit energy-efficient affordable housing facility
EL PASO, TEXAS - This month, Congressman Silvestre Reyes joined Mayor John Cook along with residents and administrators of the El Paso Housing Authority to announce over $8.25 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand affordable housing opportunities in El Paso. The funding will be used to transform a vacant 46-unit property near the County Coliseum into a modern 64-unit affordable housing complex. The Housing Authority of the City of El Paso was one of only 36 housing authorities in the United States to receive these competitive grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the only housing authority from the state of Texas.
“This is one of the single largest investments for the El Paso community made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” Congressman Reyes said. “This project reflects the type of strategic investments that will revitalize our community, while also providing much-needed affordable housing and job opportunities."
The funds will finance the “Paisano Green Project” using additional funds leveraged with the City of El Paso to redevelop a vacant 46-unit complex into an energy-efficient 64-unit affordable housing community that will serve low income families and seniors. According to the El Paso Housing Authority, the $10.3 million project will generate $21.2 million in local stimulus, a 2-1 return on investment, and support 147 jobs.
The Paisano Community was built in 1952 with more than 300 units. It was demolished several years ago with the exception of 46 units that remain on a 4.2-acre lot adjacent to the County Coliseum. The remaining land was acquired by the state. The units were vacated and scheduled for demolition approximately 10 years ago. The funding will support the renovation of the existing structure and the creation of an additional 18 units for a total of 64 affordable housing units upon completion.
The need for affordable housing is growing due to the current economic recession. Presently, there are 12,000 families on the affordable housing waiting list. To view a list of projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in El Paso, click on the 'El Paso Recovery Map' included in this newsletter.
