Bernal, Joe, 1927-

Educator and elected official. Born Mar. 1, 1927, in San Antonio, Texas; attended Trinity Univ. (B.A., 1950) and Our Lady of the Lake College (M.Ed., 1956) in San Antonio, and the University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D. 1978). Married Mary Esther Martinez in 1956. Elected to Texas House of Representatives in 1964, to Texas Senate in 1966, where he served until 1971. Known as a liberal Democrat who espoused the interests of minorities, the elderly, and the disadvantaged, Bernal also taught in the public schools for 13 years, and worked as a social worker and community activist. Served on the board of directors of MALDEF, on the Democratic National Committee, and as regional director of ACTION, a federal agency which coordinated volunteer activities. Co-authored books on the Texas Rangers and on bilingual education.

From the guide to the Joe J. Bernal Papers 23665826., 1942-1981, (Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at Austin)

Joe Bernal was born José María Bernal, Jr., in San Antonio, Texas in 1927. He graduated from Lanier High School in 1944 where he was a member of the student council. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology in 1950 from Trinity University, a Master of Education Degree in 1956 at Our Lady of the Lake College, and a Ph.D. in 1978 at the University of Texas in Austin. He married Mary Esther Martínez and taught in the Edgewood and San Antonio Independent School Districts. He was chairman of the Mexican American Democrats of Texas (MAD), won his first election as a Democratic Party precinct chair in 1950, and campaigned for Ralph W. Yarborough. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1964 and to the Texas Senate in 1966, serving until he was defeated in his 1972 bid for reelection. A proponent of bilingual education, he worked in school administration in the Edgewood and Harlandale Independent School Districts before his election in 1996 to the Texas State Board of Education where he served through 2006.

From the description of Oral history interview with Joe Bernal, 2003 [videorecording]. (University of Texas at Arlington). WorldCat record id: 420511737

Educator and elected official.

Born Mar. 1, 1927, in San Antonio, Texas; attended Trinity Univ. (B.A., 1950) and Our Lady of the Lake College (M. Ed., 1956) in San Antonio, and the University of Texas at Austin (Ph. D. 1978). Married Mary Esther Martínez in 1956. Elected to Texas House of Representatives in 1964, to Texas Senate in 1966, where he served until 1971. Known as a liberal Democrat who espoused the interests of minorities, the elderly, and the disadvantaged, Bernal also taught in the public schools for 13 years, and worked as a social worker and community activist. Served on the board of directors of MALDEF, on the Democratic National Committee, and as regional director of ACTION, a federal agency which coordinated volunteer activities. Co-authored books on the Texas Rangers and on bilingual education.

From the description of Joe J. Bernal papers, 1942-1981, bulk 1964-1979. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 23665826