Solomon P. Ortiz
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Solomon Ortiz | |
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| In office 1983 - present |
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| Preceded by | First Representative (District Created After 1980 Census) |
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| Succeeded by | Incumbent |
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| Born | June 3, 1937 Robstown, Texas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | divorced |
| Religion | Methodist |
Solomon Porfirio Ortiz (born June 3, 1937 in Robstown, Texas) is an American politician from the State of Texas who currently serves in the United States House of Representatives from the 27th Texas Congressional district (map) based in Corpus Christi.
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[edit] Early life
Solomon Porfirio Ortiz was a Methodist born in Robstown, Nueces County, Texas. His family had migrated to Texas from Mexico. As a young boy, he worked as a shoe-shiner and an inker for the letter press of his hometown newspaper, The Robstown Record. During his jobs, he made friends with law enforcement officers. Ortiz was very impressed with the officers and he became fascinated with law and law enforcement because of them. He went to school at Robstown High School and attended Del Mar College from 1965 to 1967.
[edit] Army
When Ortiz was 16, his father died, leaving him to support the family. In 1960, Ortiz decided to join the army because it gave him a place to stay and a good way to make money. Ortiz got his education in the army, getting the equivalent of a high school diploma. He was trained in Fort Hood, Texas and then was sent to Verdun and Vitry Le Francois, France.
One day, an officer inspecting his barracks found books about crime investigations and police techniques. The officer asked if he was interested in police work, which he enthusiastically replied, "Yes". He was reassigned to the 61st Military Police Company Criminal Investigation Office. In Fort Gordon, Georgia, he received his advanced military police training until 1962. This was a step in the direction of his future government work.
[edit] Running for Sheriff
Back in South Texas, Ortiz worked as an insurance agent for three years. Then, his friends convinced him that he should run for the Nueces County Country Constable (Constable - A public officer similar to a sheriff also having judicial duties). They said that his experience in the Army would help.
In 1964, Ortiz began gathering support and talking to other Hispanics about what he would do for justice. Later, Ortiz realized that he had to pay a $600 filing fee to apply for the campaign. Ortiz talked to his mother about this and was surprised by her reaction. She said they would take out a $1000 loan, for the filing fee and to help pay the Hispanic poll tax.
Unluckily, soon after, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed which outlawed poll taxes. In his first election, Ortiz was sure he would fail, but he was amazed to find that he had made it into the runoff by defeating the current Constable. In 1965, he won the final election.
[edit] Rapid Uprising
Ortiz served as Constable for four years until 1968. In 1969, he ran for County Commissioners Court of Neuces County and succeeded. He was the County Commissioner until 1976, when he became the Nueces County Sheriff. During all of his political work, he was fair and tough.
In 1982, due to Texas' population increase, the 27th District of Texas was created and Ortiz ran for the Congressional seat. He wanted to increase the amount of jobs in South Texas because there was high unemployment. For the same reason, he wanted to emphasize education in South Texas. Ortiz understood poverty and the problems it caused, because through his early life, he was poor.
He was elected as a Democrat to Congress on July 3, 1983 and he has served continuously since then. Ortiz was assigned to the House Armed Services Committee and the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. This assignment covers four military bases. Since then, Ortiz's specialty has become defense policy and the readiness of the Armed Forces.
[edit] Current status
Ortiz is currently the Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Readiness.
During his terms in office, Ortiz has been working in the Pacific Rim to create more industry and jobs in South Texas.
Ortiz works with Republicans and Democrats well. His honesty helped him when the Republicans took control of the House in 1994. Ortiz remained to be friendly with the Republicans he had worked with before, but now they were committee chairmen and power brokers.
Ortiz does not have much time is his busy career, but his hobbies include reading and sports. He also enjoys spending time with his two children Solomon Jr and Yvette. He especially loves to play with his grandson Oscar.
He is a senior member of two important committees, co-chair of the Border Caucus, House Depot Caucus and Naval Mine Warfare Caucus, and as Dean of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Ortiz has passed many bills that relate to Energy and Water, development, transportation, Veterans, agricultural issues, homeland security, defence and the military.
During his time in the House, he has maintained a moderate voting record, with a reputation of bipartisanship. His voting record is not as liberal as has become typical of Hispanic Democrats--for example, he opposes abortion in most circumstances. He is also currently serving as the Dean of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
[edit] External links
- Official House Website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
