Urban Radio Networks and author of the presidency in black and white cup close view of three president s and race in america. Also the author of democracy in black how race still enslaves the american soul and pulitzer davidwinning journalist come author of barack obama, the story. Watch indepth live from noon until 3 00 p. M. On sunday at book tv on cspan2. The new congress meets for the first time in january and will include several new members. We spoke of one of the incoming freshmen during a visit to capitol hill. Representative vicente gonzales, a democrat from texas. Tell us what you doing before you won this seat . I have been practicing law for almost two decades in texas and im also licensed in new york. I have been a lawyer for 20 years. Why did you leave that profession . There was an open seat. I have been fighting for working families in south texas and we have a lot of successes there. I can bring that same fight to washington to try to bring the necessary resources to our areas. South texas is one of the poorest areas in the country in the state. It needs good representation and were ready to go to work. Who or what from your past influenced you to take up the fights you were talking about in washington . Was influenced by my family, my father, a korean war veteran and selfmade businessman. I spent a little time in law school as an intern with congressman ortiz from the south texas district 27 at the time. These were all positive influences in my life to make me take this plunge. What about that internship . I had a loty young, of fun. I think that is one of the things internships should always keep in mind and learn the legislative process. I was in law school at the time so it was a great complement to my legal career. It was my first time in washington, actually. I was 26 years old, that was a long time ago. T was a great experience i always recommend that to folks that want to learn about government it is a great opportunity available. You were a high school dropout, how come . I was in the perfect kid, that is for sure. That didnt normally happen it went through tough times. Upearned a lot growing sometimes making the wrong decisions. Education was always very important part of the education that came from my household. Went back to school and earned a ged in went to a Community College and worked really hard. It has been quite a track. I was on my own practicing for 20 years at quite a successful law practice. Summoned to beas said you can always turn your life around if you would like and you try and work hard at it. What are the lessons from the choices you made as a young man . Well, i think the most important lesson is opportunity is always there if you want. No matter what mistakes you make in life you can always turn your life around by making the right decisions and making change. Why law school . Well i think it is a way to able to help many people especially in my Community Gives you a voice for others who are not heard. I always wanted to be a lawyer. Even as a dropout, i always thought if i can make it through i want to be a lawyer and work hard and here we are today. How are you able to pay for law school . Worked, i had a lot of parttime jobs and indebted myself to Student Loans and grants and opportunities available at the time that i hope will continue to be available for future generations. I graduated from law school i was deeply in debt. How much . About one hundred 10,000 20 years ago. That was a lot of debt, it still is i guess. It was quite stressful at the time. I can sympathize with young folks going to the same thing. Hope those opportunities continue because it certainly opens doors and education i greateststill the equalizer in society. It was for me and i hope it continues to be in this country. To be aaid you wanted lawyer because it would help your community. What is it about your community that being a lawyer youre able to help them . Explained in his room the poorest areas in the country folks that dont have a voice many times cant afford a lawyer. I did a lot of pro bono work in partreer i we always had a of our law firm to take care of veterans coming back from iraq and afghanistan. We did that on a pro bono basis folks that would come in leading for help them have no money and sometimes even Legal Resources and legal aid was overloaded that they could not take care of everyone. You would do our part in our community. s third person in your life influenced you that you think its what that person impacted you and your decision to run to serve in the house . I think i was impacted by a lot of different people. I cant say one person made it happen. I have many influential professors in college and in law school in the time that i served it with congressman ortiz. Whonds and relatives positively influenced my life. Sen. Tillis your family back in texas. Tell us about your family back in texas. I lost my dad and had a sister a mother is from monterrey, mexico. She immigrated 50 years ago and is a great person she will be here for my swearing in. Emotional times i guess. How will you balance your work out here with your life back at home . Do you plan to live here in washington . Yes. We have got a little apartment nearby. We will be traveling back and forth to spend as much time in the district as possible and keep hearing peoples problems in knowing what we need to work for and work at here in d. C. And never lose touch with them community and their needs. School districts, municipalities, a lot of folks who are affected that could use help of the federal level. Tell us about your wifes influence on you. A School Teacher and principal. He is really my rock shes been a great asset during my campaign. She is a very positive influence. We appreciate your time thank you for talking to cspan. Thank you. Cspan, where history unfolds daily. 1970 nine, cspan was created as a Public Service by americas Cable Television companies. And is brought to you today by your cable or satellite provider. Coming up next to a phone call to look at todays headlines on washington journal. At 10 00 newsmakers with lee saunders, president of the American Federation of state county and municipal employees. After that and look at the White House Christmas decorations and the lighting of the u. S. Capitol christmas tree. Washington journal is next on todays program Linda Feldman senior Political Correspondent with the Christian Science administration and its possible effect on the political center. Our featured author is teddy troy on his new book. Host Merry Christmas and happy hanukkah on this sunday morning, december 25, 2016. Welcome to this washington journal. Minutes, wet 45 will open up the bones for your thoughts on any story you are wanting in the public policy, political, or Public Affairs realm. 2027488000. Independents and others, that is 2027488002. We also welcome your
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