Joaquín Castro

Joaquín Castro
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 20th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Charlie Gonzalez
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 125th district
In office January 14, 2003 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Art Reyna
Succeeded by	Justin Rodriguez
Personal details
Born	(1974-09-16) September 16, 1974 San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Stanford University Harvard Law School
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Website	Government website

Joaquín Castro (born September 16, 1974)^[1] is an American politician who has served in the United States House of Representatives since 2013, representing Texas's 20th congressional district. The district includes just over half of San Antonio, as well as some of its closer-in suburbs. From 2003 to 2013, he was a representative in the Texas Legislature representing District 125.^[2] While in the Texas legislature Castro served as Vice-Chair of the Higher Education Committee and was 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.^[2] Castro's identical twin brother, Julián, serves as mayor of San Antonio.^[3][4]

Early life, education, and early career

Castro was raised in San Antonio and attended Thomas Jefferson High School. Castro has stated that his interest in public service developed at a young age from watching his parents' involvement in political campaigns and civic causes. His father was a retired teacher from the Edgewood Independent School District, and his mother, a community activist. He graduated with honors from Stanford University with a bachelor of arts in political science and communications and went on to earn a juris doctor with his twin brother at Harvard Law School.^[5] After law school, the two brothers continued together to work for the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld before starting their own firm in 2005.^[6]

He worked in public education, health care, and the juvenile justice system.^[5] Castro is a member of the National College Advising Corps, St. Mary's University Mission and Identity Taskforce, St. Philip's College President's Advisory Board, and Texas Family Impact Seminar.

Texas House of Representatives

Elections

Castro ran for Texas's 125th House district in 2002. He defeated incumbent State Representative Arthur Reyna in the Democratic primary 64%-36%.^[7] In the general election, he defeated Republican Nelson Balido 60%-40% and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2002 at the age of 28.^[8] In 2004, he won re-election to a second term unopposed.^[9] In 2006, he won re-election to a third term, defeating Republican Nelson Balido, 58%-38%.^[9] In 2008, he won re-election to a fourth term unopposed.^[9] In 2010, he won re-election to a fifth term, defeating Libertarian Jeffrey Blunt, 78%-22%.^[9]

Committee assignments

• County Affairs
• Higher Education (Vice Chair)^[10]
• Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
• Oversight of Higher Ed Governance, Excellence & Transparency^[11]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

In June 2011, Castro announced that he was running for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in the newly-drawn Texas's 35th congressional district. He was initially set to challenge fellow Democrat and nine-term incumbent Lloyd Doggett, whose home in Austin had been drawn into the district, in the Democratic primary^[12] However, on November 28, after Charlie Gonzalez of the neighboring 20th District announced his retirement after seven terms, Castro announced his intent to run instead for the 20th District seat. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary, all but assuring him of being the next congressman from this heavily Democratic, Hispanic-majority district. At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, he introduced his brother Julián as keynote speaker.^[10] In November 2012, Castro defeated Republican David Rosa 64%-34%.^[13] becoming only the fifth person to represent this district since its creation in 1935.

Tenure

Representative Castro preparing to deliver a keynote speech at LULAC.

Castro was officially sworn into office on January 3, 2013 becoming a member of the 113th United States Congress. He was chosen as the president of the freshman class of Democrats in the 113th Congress.^[14]

Sequestration

Castro stated that he sees Sequestration as a direct result of hostage politics.^[15] He affirms that he is disappointed in the reckless actions that will cost may federal employees a 20% loss in income.^[16]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Armed Services^[17]
  • Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
  • Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities
• Committee on Foreign Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade

Representative Joaquin Castro and his twin brother, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro at the LBJ Presidential Library.

Personal life

Castro is the son of Jesse Guzman and Rosie Castro and the identical twin brother of Julián Castro, the mayor of San Antonio, Texas.^[3] 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 nonprofit 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.^[5]

In early summer of 2013, Castro became engaged to his girlfriend, Anna Flores. The announcement was made by his twin brother, Julian, on his Facebook page.^[18]

Honors and awards

Representative Castro speaking at a campaign event.

National and international honors

• Delegate, American Swiss Foundation's Young Leaders Conference, Basel, Switzerland, 2010
• Delegate, San Antonio, Texas, Delegation to World Expo, Shanghai, China, 2010
• Delegate, American-German Young Leaders Conference, hosted in Berlin 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) 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 Transit, 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 District, 2006
• University Health System 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, Nebraska, 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 Austin, 2003

Public speaking engagements

Notable speaking engagements

Representative Castro takes part in an education panel at the Texas Association of Business Conference.

• Public Lecture on Youth Participation and Political Activism in Riga, Latvia, on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, July 2010 ^[19]
• 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 Foundation Panel on Transparency and Accountability in Higher Education, November 2009
• League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) 3rd Annual Education Awards Gala, Keynote Speaker, December 2009
• Making College Affordable, St. Mary's University, October 2009
• Sul Ross State University, Commencement Speaker, December 2004
• Northwest Vista College, 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 Obama’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 States delegate to South America, Argentina, and Uruguay, June 2007
• Urban Libraries Council Conference, Local Strategies for Inclusion & Integration in a Flat World, May 2007
• People for the American Way, 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 Education Panel: "Working Together to Ensure Student Access and Success," June 2006
• National Latino Congreso, "NAFTA: The Border, Our Environment, and Latinos," September 2006

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joaquín Castro.

• Congressman Joaquin Castro official U.S. House website
• Castro for Congress
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress