My parents had the biggest influence over my civic life. My mother was born in Texas and had a sixth-grade education. My father was an immigrant from Mexico who came to the U.S. with a third-grade education and his American Dream. He worked for Southern Pacific Railroad for fifty years and was a proud union member. He obtained his citizenship and began a lifelong effort to help other immigrants become citizens; registered people to vote, and volunteered as a community organizer.
My parents believed in raising a family of responsible citizens by teaching my siblings and me the importance of using our voting rights and getting involved with the community so we could help others achieve their American Dream.
