Henry Bonilla
Henry Bonilla
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Henry Roberto Bonilla Jr.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: November 2, 1955
Died: Not applicable (still living)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Mexican-American politician and former U.S. Representative for Texas's 23rd congressional district.
Early Life and Background
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Henry Bonilla was born on November 2, 1955, in Mexico City, Mexico. His family later moved to the United States, where he grew up in San Antonio, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary's University and later earned a Master of Business Administration from the same institution.
Major Accomplishments
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Elected as U.S. Representative for Texas's 23rd congressional district in 1993, serving five terms.
Member of the House Committee on Appropriations and chairman of its subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
Played a key role in securing funding for several infrastructure projects, including the development of the Rio Grande Valley.
Advocated for immigration reform and increased border security.
Notable Works or Actions
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As a congressman, Bonilla was known for his pragmatic approach to politics. He often worked across party lines to find common ground on key issues. One notable example is his collaboration with Democratic Representative Joe Barton of Texas on the 2005 energy bill, which aimed to reduce dependence on foreign oil.
Impact and Legacy
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Henry Bonilla's tenure as congressman had a lasting impact on the Rio Grande Valley. His efforts led to significant investments in local infrastructure projects, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. While his legislative record was not without controversy, he remains a respected figure in Texas politics.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Bonilla's ability to bridge partisan divides earned him recognition as a moderate politician in an increasingly polarized environment. His pragmatic approach to governance continues to inspire politicians seeking solutions that benefit their constituents.
Quotes by Henry Bonilla
It’s a wonderful city and every American has enjoyed New Orleans in one way or the other.
Most Hispanics are concerned with the same issues other Americans are – the economy, jobs, education. Similar to Main Street America.
Governments should not be able to bulldoze a person’s home or business to benefit other individuals.
By subjecting all projects to penalties, we are removing a loophole that localities can exploit by playing a 'shell game' with projects.
I'm excited to be on a team on the way to introducing him to the entire country. We in Texas know that you'll be every bit as impressed with him as we are.
Congressman Bonilla just feels it's something that has been in the works for a long time, and we are consistently trying to work on the situation down there. We obviously are not trying to take away attention from Hurricane Rita,
This outrageous action is crippling border security in Texas, ... We demand that these agents be returned to Texas immediately.
They are presenting an immediate danger to the lives of people in every Texas community and beyond. We strongly urge you to take action now.
A lot of us want to support a guest-worker plan down the road, but first and foremost, we have to secure the border.
