Henry B. Gonzalez, the trail-blazing congressman from San Antonio, Texas, overcame great odds to become one of the nation's most beloved--and sometimes hated--leaders. The son of Mexican-born parents, Gonzales rose through the political ranks from being a San Antonio city councilman to one of the most powerful members of the United States Congress.

Gonzales served the 20^th congressional district of Texas from 1961 to 1999. He was loved and hated for the same reason: -Henry B.- was el don de la gente, a man of the people. He helped them without regard to power,...