Texas Border Business
By Congressman Vicente Gonzalez
There is no better example of a strong, dedicated leader than Veronica Gonzales of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. A champion for education, Veronica has served as the University’s Vice President of Governmental and Community Relations since 2014. Prior to joining the ranks of UTRGV, this University of Texas Law graduate was a partner at Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzales for over 20 years and represented House District 41 in the Texas State Legislature from 2005 to 2012.
At UTRGV, she has put the university on a trajectory of tremendous growth and inspired young Latinas in the Rio Grande Valley to pursue secondary and postsecondary education. Under her leadership, UTRGV has become a nationally recognized institution of higher learning that provides countless students with the resources and education they need to succeed. Mrs. Gonzales has forever transformed the academic landscape of the Rio Grande Valley, for which we can never fully repay her.
I am impressed every day by the courageous and devoted women in the 15th District of Texas. Women like Veronica Gonzales motivate us to further our efforts in securing equal pay and fairer treatment for women. We must ensure that our leaders of tomorrow have the opportunity to learn, excel and continue to make our community better.
Today, women are paid 78 cents for every dollar that men earn. For women of color, the numbers are even more grim. These statistics are clear examples of the gender inequality that continues to negatively impact our nation and communities today. I firmly believe that all women, regardless of their race, should receive the same fair and equal compensation as men in every industry of work. It is for that reason that I cosponsored H.R. 1869, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which aims to provide more effective remedies to victims of wage discrimination.
I am proud to work hand in hand with women like Veronica Gonzales. In the same way, they work to make our district a better place, I will continue to work to ensure women are afforded equal opportunities and fair treatment, which they so deserve. I am proud to represent Mrs. Gonzales and the admirable women of the 15th District of Texas.
