Vice Mayor Henry C. Gonzalez

City of South Gate

Biography

Henry C. Gonzalez has served on the South Gate City Council for over twenty years. He was first elected in April of 1982 to a two year term in which he served as Vice Mayor and Mayor. With his election in 1982, he became the first Latino to be elected to the South Gate City Council and also made history in 1983 when he became the first Latino Mayor. In 1984, he was elected to a four year term.

Vice Mayor Gonzalez returned to the City Council in April of 1994. He was elected to a four-year term, which was extended to five years when the law changed the term schedule. He was re-elected to serve three additional four-year terms in 1999, 2003 and 2007. While serving on the Council, Vice Mayor Gonzalez has presided as Mayor five times: in 1983, 1987, 1998, 1999 and 2004. His current term of office expires in March of 2011.

Vice Mayor Gonzalez and his wife Theresa have been married since 1956 and recently celebrated their 50^th Wedding Anniversary. They have resided in South Gate since 1961 and maintain an active involvement in community affairs. They have two children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Vice Mayor Gonzalez is past President of the South Gate Rotary Club, he organized and founded the South Gate High School Booster Club in 1974, and is currently serving in his thirty-fifth consecutive year as President. He is a dedicated and loyal fan of the South Gate High School Football Team, never missing a home game since 1972. He is also the organizer and founder of the South Gate Youth Football Inc., and served as President from 1989 to 1995.

Vice Mayor Gonzalez is a retired member of the UAW International Union, having served over thirty-three years on staff and eleven years as Assistant Director of UAW Region Six.

Vice Mayor Gonzalez has been a member of the Labor Council for Latin-American Advancement (LCLAA) for over twenty years and served as National President for three two-year terms in 1996, 1998 and 2000, as well as, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Labor Ad Hoc Committee for Plaza de La Raza located in Lincoln Park in Los Angeles. He also served on the Execute Boards of Plaza De La Raza and TELACU in the late 70's.

During his twenty years on the City Council, Vice Mayor Gonzalez has represented the City in over fifteen outside agencies.

He has worked with the youth of his community most of his adult life and is most proud of his service with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as District Chairman for the San Antonio District from 1995 to 1997. He has raised money for the District every year since 1995 and has recruited many adult volunteers.

Vice Mayor Gonzalez was awarded the Siempre Juntos Award in December 2000. He shares this distinguished honor with prior recipients such as, Edward James Olmos in 1998 and Verne Aguirre of Banco Popular in 1999.

Please feel free to contact Vice Mayor Gonzalez at (323) 563-9543.