Famous People
Which Texas-born civil rights leader co-founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and played a pivotal role in challenging racial segregation in the United States through nonviolent initiatives such as the Freedom Rides?
A Hector P. Garcia
B Medgar Evers
C Martin Luther King, Jr.
D James Farmer, Jr.
Who is James Farmer, Jr.
The United States Postal Service honored Oveta Culp Hobby with a commemorative stamp in 2011 to recognize what?
F She was the first woman to sing a leading role with the Metropolitan Opera and served as a U.S. Goodwill Ambassador to nations across the world.
G A journalist, business leader, and public servant, she formed and led the Women’s Army Corps (WAC)during the Second World War. She was appointed the first secretary of the Department of Health Education, and Welfare — the second woman to hold a cabinet post.
H She was a forerunner in the newly emerging field of photojournalism and was the first female to be hired as such. She was the first photographer for Fortune magazine and the first Western photographer allowed into the Soviet Union.
J At the age of fifty-two, she devoted her life to encouraging young girls. She founded the Girl Scouts and established a national headquarters in Washington. At her death, there were troops in every state.
What is a journalist, business leader, and public servant, she formed and led the Women’s Army Corps (WAC)during the Second World War. She was appointed the first secretary of the Department of Health Education, and Welfare — the second woman to hold a cabinet post.
Which of the following is a civic responsibility of Texas citizens?
F Buying a car
G Taking a vacation
H Voting for public officials
J Participating in a protest march
What is voting for public officials?
How does press freedom benefit the people of Texas?
A People should know what they can watch on television.
B Newspapers need to write stories that increase subscribers.
C People need to be informed to make valid decisions.
D Advertising brings in millions of dollars in revenue for newspapers.
What is People need to be informed to make valid decisions?
● Elected mayor of El Paso in 1957, making him the first Mexican American leader of a major American city
● Served as Ambassador to Costa Rica under John F. Kennedy
● Served as chairman of the U.S.-Mexican Border Commission in 1967
● Served as chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for the United States in 1971
Which Texan leader is described by the information in the box above?
A Lauro Cavazos (was an American educator and politician. He served as the United States Secretary of Education)
B Henry B. González ( was an American Democratic politician from Texas. He represented Texas's 20th congressional district from 1961 to 1999.)
C Raul A. Gonzalez, Jr. (was the first Hispanic appointed or elected to statewide office in Texas. He served as a Justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 1984 to 1998.)
D Raymond L. Telles (was the first Mexican-American mayor of a major U.S. city, serving El Paso, Texas, from 1957 to 1961.)
Who was Raymond L. Telles?
In what ways did Héctor P. García's actions reflect the key themes of the Civil Rights and Conservatism era?
A His long service as leader of the Republican Party in Texas led to an expansion of conservatism in government.
B His introduction of numerous education bills to Congress led to expanded educational opportunities for minorities.
C His actions as the U.S. Postmaster General led to greater diversity and recognition of ethnic groups and women on stamps
D His founding of the American G.I. Forum led to expanded rights and liberties for Hispanic Americans.
What is (D) His founding of the American G.I. Forum led to expanded rights and liberties for Hispanic Americans?
Which of these rights is protected under the Texas Constitution?
F Equality for men and women
G Public access to the state capitol at all times
H Freedom to drive at the age of eighteen
J Guaranteed admission into a public university
What is Equality for men and women?
In what ways did the Texas Constitution's protection of press freedom aid the progression of the Civil Rights Movement within the state?
F It allowed civil rights leaders a place to publish opinion polls.
G It provided advertising for struggling civil rights organizations.
H It helped to create job opportunities for minorities at news stations.
J It informed the public about issues and events related to the movement.
What is It informed the public about issues and events related to the movement?
Identify the Texas-born political figure who served as Chief of Staff in the Reagan and Bush administrations and was appointed Secretary of State in 1989.
A James A. Baker, III
B John B. Connally, Jr.
C Henry B. González
D Ann Richards
Who was James A. Baker, III?
What was the initial purpose of the League of United Latin American Citizens?
A Support the rights of Spanish-speaking people
B Argue for new laws that improve factory conditions
C Campaign for the elimination of immigration quotas
D Improve relations with nations of Central and South America
What is (A) Support the rights of Spanish-speaking people?
Which of the following is a civic responsibility of Texas citizens?
A To serve on a jury
B To enlist in the military
C To obtain a driver's license
D To shop at local businesses
What is to serve on a jury?
Why is safeguarding press freedom crucial for ensuring informed citizen participation in Texas's democracy?
A A free press employs a large segment of the population.
B A free press is a critical tool to distribute commercial advertising.
C A free press contributes to diplomacy between Texas and other states.
D A free press monitors government actions for corruption and mismanagement.
What is A free press monitors government actions for corruption and mismanagement?
How did the actions of Civil Rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James L. Farmer, Oveta Culp Hobby, and Hector Garcia influence societal transformations in Texas?
Review to your notes
Who was the first African American from a Southern state to serve in the U.S. Congress after serving in the Texas State Senate?
F Olveta Culp Hobby
G Kay Bailey Hutchinson
H Barbara Jordon
J Ann Richards
Who was Barbara Jordon?
All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and, subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient.
—Article 1: Section 2, Texas Constitution
According to Section 2 of the Texas Bill of Rights, Texans may alter the government so long as —
A the people maintain their authority over government
B the people benefit from the actions of government
C the government stays a representative democracy
meaning: When a government is described as a representative democracy, it means that the citizens elect officials to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf. Instead of voting directly on every issue (as in a direct democracy), people choose representatives who are accountable to them and are expected to reflect their interests and values in the legislative process .
D the government preserves the rights of the people of Texas
What is the government stays a representative democracy.
Which individual from Texas is recognized for extensive judicial service within the state and holds the distinction of being the first Hispanic appointed to a statewide office in Texas?
F James A. Baker, III (American attorney, diplomat, and statesman)
G Raul A. Gonzalez, Jr. (Assistant City Attorney in Houston: He served in this capacity shortly after his admission to the Texas Bar in 1966.
H Barbara Jordan (lawyer, educator, and politician from Houston)
J Raymond L. Telles (first Mexican American mayor of a major U.S. city, serving El Paso, Texas, from 1957 to 1961)
Who was Raul A. Gonzalez, Jr.?
He was nevertheless capable of immense personal charm, particularly when he was lobbying and brokering backstage in the Washington corridors of power. . . .
[He] was a consummate politician, perfectly attuned to the ways of Capitol Hill, who understood the complex systems underpinning the United States Congress, and how to exploit its rules to achieve clear political goals. His finest work was done behind the scenes and out of sight, in the halls and corridors of the Senate, cajoling and threatening by turns to sway opinions and win crucial votes. . . .
Both [his] supporters and detractors acknowledge that it was his formidable political abilities and the way in which he was able to harness the nuances of the political system that meant he could affect significant social change in the United States – even in the face of strong conservative opposition.
—"The Uncivil Rights Leader, "The Independent, 2009
Which president from Texas most exemplifies the leadership traits highlighted in the excerpt?
F George H.W. Bush (forty-first president)
G George W. Bush (forty-third president)
H Dwight D. Eisenhower
J Lyndon B. Johnson
Who was Lyndon B. Johnson?