Gonzales, Alberto 2009-10-05
Alberto Gonzales, former United States Attorney General, reminisces on his life growing up as a Mexican American and being in the Air Force. He discusses his academic and law careers, his years of service to George W. Bush in Texas and then his tenure as a member of Bush’s Cabinet. He also discusses his current dual appointment at Texas Tech University, as a Professor of Political Science and a Minority Recruiter.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Alberto Gonzales
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: October 05, 2009
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Daniel Sanchez
Length: 01:21:01
Abstract
Introduction; Parents; Occupations; Grandparents; Siblings; Second oldest; Sibling names; Family lives in Houston; Wife; Children; Education; Public schools; Enlisted in Air Force; High School academic career; Did well in school; Sports; Enjoyed high school; Mapped out life; Air Force; Family support; Transition to military; Recommend service; Changes in life; Taking care of self; Responsibility; Ft. Yukon Alaska; One remote assignment; Air Force Academy; Admittance test; Appointed to Air Force Academy; President Bush’s speech; Invested Interest from Air Force; Extraordinary; Air Force Academy Career; Military regiment; Work load demanding; Class council president; Thought about leaving; Transferred to Rice University; Government type courses; Harvard Law School; Parents’ reaction; Experiences at Harvard; Career after law school; Law firm in Houston; Community organizations; Became partner in 1991; Ready for a change; George W. Bush’s Governorship; Friendship with Bush; General Council; Bush was a wonderful client; Death Row clemency; High profile case; Wide range of issues; Death penalty cases; Economy in Texas; Economy was strong; Presidential run for office; Service on Supreme Court; Never considered being a judge; Accomplishments; Fairness; Bush administration; Growing up as a Mexican American; Grew up speaking English; View of world; Hispanic education; Expectations; Emulate success; Education; Making choices; Changing Status Quo; Tolerance and acceptance; Affirmative action cases; Civil Service; Getting involved; Board member; Civil service experiences; Better person; Highlights of local organizations; Open doors; Helping others; Attorney General; Public Service; Career at Texas Tech; Overview of pressing issues after 9/11; Never let attack happen again; Bring justice to terrorists; Setting goals and issues; Mindset at Whitehouse; Worked really hard; Two wars; Guidelines; Issues for lawyers; Geneva Convention; Legal rights for enemy combatants; Surveillance; State of economies; Responsibility of government; Bailouts; Limited regulation; Holding Congress accountable; Not doing their job; Bringing experience to classroom.
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript: Transcript available in reading room
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