Joaquín Castro
Encyclopedia
Joaquín Castro is an American politician from San Antonio, Texas
. Castro is a representative in the Texas Legislature
representing District 125. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Higher Education Committee and is a member of the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee. He has previously served on the County Affairs Committee, Border & International Affairs Committee and the Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee. Castro's twin brother, Julián Castro
, serves as mayor
of San Antonio. In June 2011, Castro announced that he began running for a seat in the United States House of Representatives
in the newly-drawn , but with the November 28, 2011 retirement announcement by U.S. Representative Charlie González , Castro announced his intent to run for the 20th District seat.
. He graduated with honors and distinction from Stanford University
with a Bachelor of Arts
in Political Science
and Communications and went on to earn a Juris Doctorate at Harvard Law School
.
, and his mother, a community activist, instilled in him a deep respect for the democratic process. Castro was elected to the Texas House of Representatives
in 2002 at the age of 28, and is now beginning his fifth term as a Representative.
In the Texas Legislature
, Castro has worked on higher education and the expansion of access and affordability for students. He has also worked in public education
, health care
, and the juvenile justice system. Castro has authored and worked on legislation involving workforce development
, highway safety, and education programs intended to reduce teenage pregnancy
rates.
Mission and Identity Taskforce, St. Philip's College
President's Advisory Board, and Texas Family Impact Seminar.
. In addition to his work in the Texas Legislature
, Castro practices law in San Antonio. He has also taught as a visiting professor of law at St. Mary's University
and as an adjunct professor at Trinity University
in San Antonio.
Castro sits on several boards of non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education, including: Achieving the Dream, the National College Advising Corps, St. Phillip's College President's Advisory Board, St. Mary's University Mission and Identity Taskforce, and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials' (NALEO) Taskforce on Education.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. Castro is a representative in the Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
representing District 125. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Higher Education Committee and is a member of the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee. He has previously served on the County Affairs Committee, Border & International Affairs Committee and the Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee. Castro's twin brother, Julián Castro
Julián Castro
- See also :*Venezuela*Presidents of Venezuela...
, serves as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of San Antonio. In June 2011, Castro announced that he began running for a seat in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in the newly-drawn , but with the November 28, 2011 retirement announcement by U.S. Representative Charlie González , Castro announced his intent to run for the 20th District seat.
Early life
Castro was raised in San Antonio and attended Thomas Jefferson High School (San Antonio, TX)Thomas Jefferson High School (San Antonio, TX)
Thomas Jefferson High School is a public high school in San Antonio, Texas and is one of ten high schools in the San Antonio Independent School District...
. He graduated with honors and distinction from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and Communications and went on to earn a Juris Doctorate at Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
.
Public life
Castro's interest in public service developed at a young age from watching his parents' involvement in political campaigns and civic causes. His father, a retired teacher from the Edgewood Independent School DistrictEdgewood Independent School District (Bexar County, Texas)
Edgewood Independent School District is a public school district based in San Antonio, in Bexar County, Texas .The Edgewood district is most notable as the original plaintiff in a Texas court case which led to the infamous "Robin Hood" school finance plan .In 2009, the school district was rated...
, and his mother, a community activist, instilled in him a deep respect for the democratic process. Castro was elected to the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
in 2002 at the age of 28, and is now beginning his fifth term as a Representative.
In the Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
, Castro has worked on higher education and the expansion of access and affordability for students. He has also worked in public education
Public education
State schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
, health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
, and the juvenile justice system. Castro has authored and worked on legislation involving workforce development
Workforce development
Workforce development is an American economic development approach that attempts to enhance a region's economic stability and prosperity by focusing on people rather than businesses. It is essentially a human resources strategy...
, highway safety, and education programs intended to reduce teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is a pregnancy of a female under the age of 20 when the pregnancy ends. It generally refers to a female who is unmarried and usually refers to an unplanned pregnancy...
rates.
Community involvement
Castro is a member of the National College Advising Corps, St. Mary's UniversitySt. Mary's University, Texas
St. Mary's University is a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution located on northwest of downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. St. Mary’s is a nationally recognized master’s level school ranked among the top colleges in the west for best value and academic reputation by U.S. News...
Mission and Identity Taskforce, St. Philip's College
St. Philip's College (United States)
St. Philip's College is a public community college located in San Antonio, Texas, United States. St. Philip's College, a part of the Alamo Community College District, currently serves more than 9,000 students in over 70 different academic and technical disciplines...
President's Advisory Board, and Texas Family Impact Seminar.
Community initiatives
Castro has been involved in several local and statewide initiatives, including:- Annual Book Drive - Each year with the support of local book stores and the San Antonio Public LibrarySan Antonio Public LibraryThe San Antonio Public Library is a collection of a Central Library and 24 branch libraries that serve the City of San Antonio, Texas, USA. The library serves other cities in the area, including Alamo Heights, Hill Country Village, and Olmos Park.The Central Library is a , six-story structure that...
, books are collected and donated to elementary and middle schools. To date a total of 130,000 books have been distributed to more than 100 schools across the city. - Annual Health and Community Resource Fair - Local and state agencies come together to offer the community resources ranging from information on healthy lifestyles to public safety.
- Annual Families Helping Families Appreciation Dinner - Each November, relative caregivers from across the city are treated to an appreciation dinner in honor of their continued support and dedication to their young family members.
- Profiles in Change Dinner - Members of the community who have inspired change within their communities are honored at a dinner and awarded a plaque in commemoration of their efforts.
Personal life
Castro is the son of Jesse Guzman and Rosie Castro and the twin brother of Julian Castro, the mayor of San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. In addition to his work in the Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
, Castro practices law in San Antonio. He has also taught as a visiting professor of law at St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University, Texas
St. Mary's University is a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution located on northwest of downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. St. Mary’s is a nationally recognized master’s level school ranked among the top colleges in the west for best value and academic reputation by U.S. News...
and as an adjunct professor at Trinity University
Trinity University (Texas)
Trinity University is a private, independent, primarily undergraduate, university in San Antonio, Texas. Its campus is located in the Monte Vista Historic District and adjacent to Brackenridge Park....
in San Antonio.
Castro sits on several boards of non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education, including: Achieving the Dream, the National College Advising Corps, St. Phillip's College President's Advisory Board, St. Mary's University Mission and Identity Taskforce, and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials' (NALEO) Taskforce on Education.
Honors and awards
National and international honors
- Delegate, American Swiss Foundation's Young Leaders Conference, BaselBaselBasel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
, SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, 2010 - Delegate, San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, TexasSan Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
Delegation to World Expo, ShanghaiShanghaiShanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, 2010 - Delegate, American-German Young Leaders Conference, hosted in BerlinBerlinBerlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
by the American Council on Germany, 2009 - Delegate, International Seminar on Migration and Integration, hosted in Jerusalem by the Consulate General of Israel, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV), the Aharon Ofri International Training Center, and the Center for International Migration and Integration (CIMI), 2008
- Delegate, International Cultural Exchange, hosted in Argentina by the American Council of Young Political Leaders, 2008
- Arthur S. Flemming Fellow, Center for Policy Alternatives, Washington D.C., 2004
Awards and recognitions
- Hispanic Organization for Public Employees Amazing Energy Award, in recognition of distinguished public service, 2009
- Family Service Association Recognition, in recognition of support and commitment to key initiatives that strengthen and keep families together, 2009
- The Wind Coalition Outstanding Supporter, in recognition for outstanding support of Texas Wind Energy, 2008
- Certificate of Participation, in recognition of participation in the Get To Know Your Community Fair, 2008
- Edgewood Independent School District (Bexar County, Texas)Edgewood Independent School District (Bexar County, Texas)Edgewood Independent School District is a public school district based in San Antonio, in Bexar County, Texas .The Edgewood district is most notable as the original plaintiff in a Texas court case which led to the infamous "Robin Hood" school finance plan .In 2009, the school district was rated...
Business Partnership Award, 2007 - West SA Chamber of Commerce Doctoral Achievement Awards, in recognition of outstanding community leadership, 2007
- Rhodes Technology Academy National Junior Honor Society, for recognizing and promoting the important qualities of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship, 2007
- Recognized by VIA Metropolitan TransitVIA Metropolitan TransitVIA Metropolitan Transit is the mass transit agency serving San Antonio, Texas. It began operation in 1978 as a successor to the San Antonio Transit System...
, in recognition of legislative support in the 80th Legislative Session, 2007 - Appreciation Award by Women's Equality Day Banquet, in recognition of being the Keynote Speaker for the Kelly Field Club, 2006
- Northside ISD Campus Partner of the Year, in recognition of service to students at Sul Ross Middle School by Northside Independent School DistrictNorthside Independent School DistrictNorthside Independent School District is a school district headquartered in Leon Valley, Texas. It is the largest school district in the San Antonio area and the fourth largest in the State of Texas...
, 2006 - University Health SystemUniversity Health SystemUniversity Health System is the public district hospital for Bexar County, Texas and San Antonio's only health system recognized by U.S. News & World Report, regarded as one of America's Best Hospitals...
Appreciation Award, in recognition of contributions to the University Health System's 2005 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, 2005 - Recognized by TEX-21 Legislative Caucus, in honor of being an active leader and commitment to improve multimodal transportation for the citizens of Texas, 2005
- National Kidney Foundation Chair's Partnership Award, in recognition of generosity and commitment to making lives better, 2005
- Appreciation Award by Women's Equality Day Banquet, in recognition of being the Keynote Speaker for the Kelly Field Club, 2004
- Appreciation Award by Ogden Elementary School, in recognition of promoting literacy in the community, 2004
- Recognized by Via Metropolitan Transit, in recognition of contributions made during the 78th Legislative Session, 2003
- Appreciation Award by Center for Health Care Services, in recognition of leadership during the 78th Legislative Session, 2003
- Recognized by the Latino Youth Conference in Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, NebraskaOmaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, in recognition of steadfast commitment to Latino youth and the empowerment of the Latino community, 2003 - Hispanic Affairs Agency Bravo Award, in appreciation for speaking at the Latino Leadership Symposium, University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, 2003
Notable speaking engagements
- Public Lecture on Youth Participation and Political Activism in RigaRigaRiga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, LatviaLatviaLatvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, July 2010 - Texas Association of Business Annual Conference, Panel on Higher Education, February 2010
- St. Mary's University Law Review on Minority Issues, Keynote Speaker, March 2009
- San Antonio Chapter of Community Associations Institute, June 2009
- Texas Public Policy FoundationTexas Public Policy FoundationThe Texas Public Policy Foundation is an Independent think tank based in Austin, Texas. It is a member of the State Policy Network, a network of free-market leaning think tanks....
Panel on Transparency and Accountability in Higher Education, November 2009 - League of United Latin American CitizensLeague of United Latin American CitizensThe League of United Latin American Citizens was created to combat the discrimination that Hispanics face in the United States. Established February 17, 1929 in Corpus Christi, Texas, LULAC was a consolidation of smaller, like-minded civil rights groups already in existence...
(LULAC) 3rd Annual Education Awards Gala, Keynote Speaker, December 2009 - Making College Affordable, St. Mary's University, October 2009
- Sul Ross State UniversitySul Ross State UniversitySul Ross State University , a public university in Alpine, Texas, is named for former Texas governor, Civil War general Lawrence Sullivan Ross. It was founded in 1917 as Sul Ross Normal College and was made a university in 1969....
, Commencement Speaker, December 2004 - Northwest Vista CollegeNorthwest Vista CollegeNorthwest Vista College is a public community college within the Alamo Community College District in San Antonio, Texas. It is one of the top community colleges in the United States. Northwest Vista College offers open admission.- History :...
, Commencement Speaker, May 2002
Conferences
- 5th Annual National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) National Summit on the State of Latino Education, September 2009
- 26th Annual National Association of Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Conference, President Barack ObamaBarack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
’s Education Plan: How the New Administration Plans to Improve Educational Opportunities for Latinos, June 2009 - New American Alliance (NAA) Pension Fund Forum, sponsored by the National Association of Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), August 2007
- The American Council of Young Political Leaders - United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
delegate to South AmericaSouth AmericaSouth America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, and UruguayUruguayUruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
, June 2007 - Urban Libraries Council Conference, Local Strategies for Inclusion & Integration in a Flat World, May 2007
- People for the American WayPeople For the American WayPeople For the American Way is a progressive advocacy group in the United States. Under U.S. tax code, People For the American Way is organized as a tax-exempt 501 non-profit organization.-Purpose:...
, The Young Elected Officials Network, March 2007 - Take Back America Conference, Center for Policy Alternatives, June 2006
- National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) - Chair of Higher EducationHigher educationHigher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
Panel: "Working Together to Ensure Student Access and Success," June 2006 - National Latino Congreso, "NAFTA: The Border, Our Environment, and Latinos," September 2006