SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) — In a bilingual funeral Mass adorned with symbols from the United States and Mexico, former U.S. Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez was remembered Saturday as a Hispanic political pioneer who never forgot the poor even as he rose to chair the powerful House Banking Committee.
Mourners shouted "Viva, Henry B." when the funeral procession carrying his coffin made its way through the streets of downtown San Antonio after the ceremony at historic San Fernando Cathedral.
Gonzalez, who served in the House for 37 years and was the first Hispanic sent to Congress from Texas, died Tuesday at age 84. He retired from the House in 1998 because of ill health and was replaced by son Charlie Gonzalez.
Several representatives who served in Congress with the elder Gonzalez told the packed cathedral he was a crusty political gadfly who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor.