| Title: |
Montalvo, Leo
|
| Document type: |
Oral history
|
| Accessibility: |
Free Only
|
| Repository: |
University of Texas, Arlington. Central Library. Special Collections Department
|
| Collection: |
Tejano Voices: University of Texas at Arlington Center for Mexican American Studies Oral History Project
|
| Description: |
Montalvo recalls his successful political campaign against incumbent McAllen mayor Othal Brand and the subsequent suit brought by Brand for a recount. He discusses McAllen voting patterns and statistics, his opinion of why Brand lost the race, the characteristics of Mexican American voters in McAllen, and the growth of Mexican American political power. Montalvo also describes the composition of the McAllen city commission, the structure of city government, and the city's electoral districts and voter distribution. After briefly relating his experience as a school math teacher and assistant principal he shares his introduction to politics; in describing his unsuccessful campaigns for political office in the 1970s Montalvo sheds light on the formation of La Raza Unida party in the area. He explains how he came to be elected to the city commission in 1983 and reveals attitudes toward La Raza Unida party. Montalvo provides details of his family history and information about his siblings, wife and children. He describes instances of discrimination against Mexican Americans and credits education and the rise of a Mexican American professional class with breaking barriers and increasing Mexican American political representation. Montalvo ends by talking of issues in the Rio Grande Valley.
|
| Extent: |
52 pages
|
| URL: |
http://libraries.uta.edu/tejanovoices/transcripts/TV_128.html
|
| Original Language: |
English
|
| Audio: |
[Audio available]
|
| Time span: |
Not indicated ... to 1997 (Year of interview)
|
| Speaker: |
Montavlo, Leo, 1943-
|
| Speaker gender: |
Male
|
| Speaker date of birth: |
9-Jun-1943
|
| Speaker place of birth: |
Mexico; North America
|
| Age at speaking: |
54
|
| Document location: |
McAllen, TX
|
| Document date: |
20-Dec-1997
|
| Interviewer: |
Gutierrez, Jose Angel
|
| Organizations discussed: |
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
|
| Locations discussed: |
McAllen, TX; Mexico; North America; Texas; United States
|
| Topics discussed - ASP terms: |
Children; Family; Family--History; Hispanic American families; Hispanic American leadership--Texas; Hispanic American politicians; Hispanic Americans--Texas; Law; Law firms; Law--Texas; Lawyers; Marriage; Mayors--United States; McAllen, TX; Mexico; North America; Practice of law; Texas; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Texas--Politics and government; United States
|
| ASP release: |
2005-06
|
| Document code: |
OHI0000225-171
|
