John J. Herrera Papers MSS.0160


Descriptive Summary
	Creator	Herrera, John J., 1910-1986
	Title:	John J. Herrera Papers
	Dates:	1940-1980

	Abstract:	This collection contains the private and public papers of John J. Herrera. The emphasis is on his civic, business, and political activities with very little information on family and personal matters. The time-frame is 1940s-1970s. From his law practice and civic interests there are correspondence, documents and speeches. Much of the correspondence is with leaders in the Mexican American community and also major political figures in Texas and the United States. Two benchmark cases concerning school desegregation and the rights of Spanish-speaking people to serve on juries should be of special interest to researchers. The largest portion of this collection is concerned with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC.) About half of the LULAC material is from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. The remainder is from the 1970s with an especially large concentration on 1977 and impeachment proceedings against LULAC officers. Herrera's role as national legal advisor for LULAC is prominently represented in the materials from the late 1970s.
	Identification:	MSS.0160
	Quantity:	8.0 Linear feet
	Language:	Materials are in English.
	Repository:	Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library

Biographical Note

John James Herrera was born on April 12, 1910, in Cravens, Louisiana. He died on October 12, 1986, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 76.

John Herrera practiced law in Houston from 1943 to 1986 and was a leading civil rights advocate for Mexican Americans in Texas. In 1948, he was a member of the legal team in the case of Minerva Delgado vs. Bastrop Independent School District, which ultimately led Texas courts to rule that separate schools for Mexican American children were illegal. In 1954, Herrera authored briefs against the State of Texas in the Pete Hernandez case that resulted in a United States Supreme Court ruling that declared that the systematic exclusion of Spanish-speaking citizens from service on juries was unconstitutional. During World War II, Herrera was involved in protesting employment discrimination against Mexican Americans in Houston shipyards.

John Herrera was especially prominent in the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in which he served as national president from 1952-1953. He joined LULAC in 1933 and became convinced of the organization's potential for helping in the advancement of Hispanics. In the late 1970s, he was appointed national legal counsel for LULAC and served in that capacity into the early 1980s. He achieved the status of "lifetime distinguished member" in LULAC.

Herrera was a lifelong Democrat and politically active throughout his life. In the 1950s, he ran unsuccessfully for the Texas Legislature. In the early 1960s, he was an active supporter of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Herrera relates that one of the most memorable nights of his life was on November 21, 1963, when he introduced President John F. Kennedy to a group of LULAC members gathered at the Rice Hotel for a reception. (Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on the following day.)

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the private and public papers of John J. Herrera. The emphasis is on his civic, business, and political activities with very little information on family and personal matters. The time-frame is 1940s-1970s. From his law practice and civic interests there are correspondence, documents and speeches. Much of the correspondence is with leaders in the Mexican American community and also major political figures in Texas and the United States. Two benchmark cases concerning school desegregation and the rights of Spanish-speaking people to serve on juries should be of special interest to researchers. The largest portion of this collection is concerned with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC.) About half of the LULAC material is from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. The remainder is from the 1970s with an especially large concentration on 1977 and impeachment proceedings against LULAC officers. Herrera's role as national legal advisor for LULAC is prominently represented in the materials from the late 1970s.


Arrangement
	This collection is separated into two areas. The first area covers a broad range of subjects beginning with biographic information then focusing on specific civil rights cases, continuing with information about John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson and ending with legal and general correspondence. The second area is almost exclusively focused on LULAC. This half contains correspondence, documents, speeches and LULAC publications. The last section of this LULAC material concerns Herrera's role as national legal advisor for LULAC.

Restrictions

Use Restrictions

None


Index Terms

	Index Terms
		Aguayo, G. R.
		Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (Houston, Tex.)
		Azios, A. D.
		Benitez, Joseph
		Bonilla, Ruben
		Bonilla, William
		Cadena, Carlos
		Casas, J. B.
		Casey, Bob
		Connally, John Bowden, 1917-
		Daniel, Price
		De Anda, James
		De la Garza, E.
		Dies, Martin
		Foreman, Percy
		Garcia, Gus
		Garcia, Hector P.
		Garcia, Macario
		Gonzales, Henry B.
		Hernandez, Alfred J., 1917-
		Hofheinz, Roy M.
		Holcombe, Oscar, 1888-1968
		House, J. H. B.
		Kazen, Abraham
		Kern, C. V.
		Kilgore, Joe
		League of United Latin American Citizens. Council #60 (Houston, Tex.)
		League of United Latin American Citizens
		Mann, Frank E.
		Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
		Montalbo, Phil
		Morales, Felix H.
		Moreno, Carlos
		Ornelas, Roberto
		PASO
		Perales, Alonso S.
		Pinedo, Frank
		Rodriguez, Cleto
		Sanchez, George I.
		Shivers, Allan
		Thomas, Albert, 1898-1966
		Tijerina, Felix, 1905-1965
		Velez, Joe
		Viva Johnson Clubs
		Yarborough, Ralph
		American G.I. Forum
		Delgado, Minerva--Trials, litigation, etc.
		Fiestas Patrias (Houston, Tex.)
		Hernandez, Pete--Trials, litigation, etc.
		KLVL (Radio station: Houston, Tex.)
		League of United Latin American Citizens--Trials, litigation, etc.
		Mexican American lawyers
		Mexican American leadership
		Mexican Americans--Societies, etc.
		Mexican Americans--Texas--Houston
		Political campaigns
		Politicians--Texas
		Presidents--United States--Election
		Rios, Ben--Trials, litigation, etc.
		San Jacinto Day Celebration (San Jacinto Battleground, Tex.)
		Segregation--Texas--Trials, litigation, etc.
		Sons of the Republic of Texas. San Jacinto Chapter, No. 1 (Houston, Tex.)

MICROFILM CONTENT LOCATION

Roll 1: Box 1, folder 1, to Box 3, folder 11
Roll 2: Box 3, folder 12, to Box 6, folder 9
Roll 3: Box 6, folder 10, to Box 9, folder 3
Roll 4: Box 9, folder 4, to Box 9, folder 21

Detailed Description of the Collection



John J. Herrera Material
Box	Folder
1	1	Membership Cards and Licenses of John J. Herrera
	2	Biographical article on John J. Herrera, 1940s
	3	Resume of John J. Herrera
	4	Biographical article on John J. Herrera, 1970s
	5	Speeches on Legal Matters and on being a Lawyer by John J. Herrera
	6	Speeches and Tributes to John J. Herrera
	7	Ruiz-Herrera Family History
	8	"Letters to the Editor" by John J. Herrera, 1940s-1970s
	9	Testimonial dinner for John J. Herrera, 1980
	10	Family & Personal Correspondence & Documents, 1950s-1970s
	11	John J. Herrera Family and Personal Business Documents, 1940s-1970s
	12	Poll Tax Receipts of John J. Herrera, 1930s-1960s
	13	Correspondence with & documents Relating to Ernest Herrera
	14	Letters of Recommendation and Documents Related to John J. Herrera becoming an Attorney, 1940s
	15	Correspondence of and Documents Relating to John Michael Herrera, 1960s-1970s
	16	Correspondence with Douglas MacArthur Herrera, 1960s-1970s
	17	Greeting Cards to John J. Hererra and Family
	18	Correspondence and Programs Relating to San Jacinto Day and Sons of the Republic of Texas
	19	Speeches made by John J. Herrera at San Jacinto, 1940s-1960s
	20	Clippings re John J. Herrera's Participation in San Jacinto Day Celebrations, 1940s-50s
	21	Autographed San Jacinto Speech by Martin Dies, 1969
	22	Political speeches by John J. Herrera on Behalf of Candidates, 1940s-1970s
	23	Documents Relating to John J. Herrera's Candidacy for Political Office, 1950s
	24	Misc. Speeches by John J. Herrera on Civic and Ethnic Issues, 1960s-1970s
	25	Article for Chronicle, Nov. 1983
	26	John J. Herrera: Death of, Benefit Honoring: 1986
Box	Folder
2	1	Clippings re Discrimination in Texas, 1940s-1950s
	2	John J. Herrera Correspondence re Oscar Holcombe, Frank Mann, Latin American Club of Harris County, & Commissioner J.H.B. House, 1930s-1941
	3	Minutes of a State Convention of Latin American Leaders Creating a Texas Pro-Human Relations Fund, Corpus Christi, 1951
	4	Political Associations of Spanish-speaking Organizations (PASO), Publications, Houston, & Civic Action Committee, 1960s
	5	Vida Latina, Chicago, Illinois publication, Vol. 3, No. 3, March 1954
	6	Letter to John J. Herrera from Percy Foreman re Discrimination, 1944
	7	John J. Herrera--Carlos Castaneda Correspondence, 1947 & 1949
	8	John J. Herrera--Carlos Castaneda: Correspondence & Documents re President's Committee on Fair Employment Practice, 1943-1945
	9	George I. Sanchez: Misc. Correspondence
	10	A. L. Wirin & George I. Sanchez Correspondence re Discrimination, 1954-1955
	11	Dr. Hector P. Garcia & G.I. Forum, 1950s-1970s
	12	The Hispanic-American Corporation, Houston, Texas
	13	Correspondence & Clippings re Misc. Houston Chicano Leaders, 1970s
	14	Programa Official de Las Fiestas Patrias, Houston, Tejas (2 copies), Sept. 1969
	15	Correspondence, Clippings & Documents re James De Anda, A.D. Azios, Phil Montalbo, & Carlos Cadena
	16	J.B. Casas & G.R. Aquayo Correspondence, 1959-1970s
	17	Correspondence & Documents re Frank Pinedo, 1950s-1970s
	18	Correspondence re Alonso S. Perales, Alfred J. Hernandez & Abraham Kazen
	19	Clippings, Correspondence, & Documents re Delgado Case and Segregation of Mexican-Americans in Texas Schools, 1948-1980
	20	Correspondence Relative to and by Gus C. Garcia, 1940s-1963
	21	Articles on Gus C. Garcia
	22	Speeches and Editorial Letters by Gus C. Garcia, 1940s-1950s
	23	Eulogy and Documents re Burial and Tribute to Gus C. Garcia
	24	Correspondence & Documents re Pete Hernandez Case, 1950s-1970s
	25	Pete Hernandez vs the State of Texas, 1950s
	26	"Mexican Americans and the Desegregation of Schools in the Southwest"
	27	Gus C. Garcia Scholarship Fund, 1964
	28	Harry B. Gonzalez
	29	Macario Garcia: Documents and Eulogy
	30	Cleto Rodrigues: Citation
	31	Congressional Medal of Honor Society, 1969
	32	IMAGE of Houston, 1977
	33	AAMA, MALDEF, Mex-Am Bar Association (Misc. News letters) 1970s-1980s
	34	Clippings & Articles re Mexican-American Laborers, immigrants, and illegal aliens, 1960s-1970s
Box	Folder
3	1	Misc. Correspondence from Houston Notables & Misc. Documents re Houston Campaigns
	2	Fred Hofheinz: Correspondence & Documents re campaign and Mayor's Tenure
	3	Misc. Correspondence with State Political Figures
	4	Misc. Correspondence with Misc. National Political Figures
	5	Correspondence of John J. Herrera with Albert Thomas & Joe Kilgore
	6	Supporter Lists, Mailouts, News Release, and Minutes of Meeting of "Viva Johnson" Clubs, 1964
	7	Clippings, Articles, & Flyers re "Viva Johnson" Clubs and Campaign, 1964
	8	Correspondence to & from, and Documents re Jim Wright, 1960s
	9	Political Campaign Material 1968, 1972
	10	Correspondence with & Documents re C. V. 'Buster' Kern
	11	Correspondence, Flyers re Kennedy-Johnson, 1960
	12	Correspondence, Flyers & Stickers re Democratic Primary, 1962
	13	Clippings, and Correspondence with Lyndon Johnson, 1940s-1960s
	14	"Viva Johnson" Campaign Memorabilia, 1964
	15	Misc. Correspondence with Price Daniel
	16	Hon Matado a mi Presidente! (They have Killed My President) by John J. Herrera, 1963 & John J. Herrera to Carlos McCormick, Nov. 29, 1963; Herrera's notes re JFK photos at the Rice Hotel, Nov. 22, 1963
	17	Correspondence, clippings, and flyers re Kennedy & Johnson, 1962-63
	18	John J. Herrera to President John F. Kennedy, inviting him to his appearance at the Rice Hotel Oct. 24, 1963
	19	Telegram & Correspondence re "Viva Johnson" Clubs & Campaign, 1964
	20	Allan Shivors: Telegrams to and Speech on Behalf of, by John J. Herrera
	21	John Connally: Correspondence from and to John J. Herrera, 1960s
	22	John Connally Campaigns: Correspondence, Clippings, Flyers, 1960s
	23	Ralph Yarborough, 1950s-60s
	24	El Democrata (Carr for Senate, Campaign) 1966
	25	Jimmy Carter
	26	T.W. 'Buckshot' Lane, Sheriff of Wharton County, 1940s-50s
	27	Dr. Hector Garcia, Speech & Radio Announcement for Yarborough Candidacy, 1950s
	28	Correspondence with Congressman Bob Casey
	29	Correspondence with Kika De La Garza
	30	Documents re Roy Hofheinz, 1950s
Box	Folder
4	1	Felix H. Morales File: Documents re Founding of KLVL, 1947-1949, & Documents re Joe Morales
	2	Rios, Ben et. al. vs O.B. Ellis, et. al, Prison Farm Segregation Case, 1955
	3	Private Abel Cisneros Army Discharge Case, 1952-1954
	4	Immigration Cases Legal Papers, 1960s-1970s
	5	Kenneth L. Ballard Case, 1971
	6	Legal and General Correspondence of John J. Herrera, 1940s
	7	Legal Documents and General Correspondence of John J. Herrera, 1950s
	8	Legal and General Correspondence & Documents of John J. Herrera, 1960-1965
	9	Legal and General Correspondence & Documents of John J. Herrera, 1966-1969
	10	Legal and General Correspondence and Documents of John J. Herrera, 1970-1975
	11	Legal and General Correspondence of John J. Herrera, 1977
	12	Legal and General Correspondence & Documents of John J. Herrera, 1976-1980



League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Materials
Box	Folder
5	1	Banquet in Houston Program, 1942
	2	John J. Herrera Correspondence and documents, 1942-1946
	3	The Pan American (San Antonio, Texas Publication), Vol. 1 No. 4; Article re Council No. 60 January 1945,
	4	LULAC News, October 1945
	5	LULAC News, Nov. 1946
	6	LULAC News, May 1947
	7	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1947
	8	John J. Herrera Correspondence and Documents, 1948
	9	John J. Herrera Correspondence and Documents, 1949
	10	John J. Herrera Correspondence and Documents re Texas Regional Convention in Houston, 1949
	11	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, June-August, 1950
	12	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Jan.-May, 1950
	13	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Sept.-Dec., 1950
	14	John J. Herrera Correspondence, Documents, and Clippings, January-July, 1951
	15	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Aug.-Dec., 1951
	16	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, January-May, 1952
	17	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, As National President, June-December, 1952
	18	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, As National President, Jan.-March, 1953
	19	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, As National President, April-May, 1953
	20	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, June-Dec., 1953
	21	Membership Information Sheets, 1953
	22	John J. Herrera for National President, 1953
	23	John J. Herrera As National President, Official Reports, Financial & Council Meetings, 1952-1953
Box	Folder
6	1	Frank Pinedo for National President, 1954
	2	LULAC NEWS, June, 1954
	3	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1954
	4	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Jan.-May, 1955
	5	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, June-Dec., 1955
	6	LULAC News, June, 1955
	7	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Tijerina-Herrera Exchange, 1956
	8	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, re Felix Tijerina Administration, 1957
	9	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1958
	10	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1959
	11	Speeches by John J. Herrera, 1940s-50s
	12	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1960
	13	Speeches by John J. Herrera, 1960s
	14	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1961
	15	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1962-1963
	16	LULAC News, JFK Memorial Issue, Nov.-Dec. 1963
	17	"William Bonilla For President" 1964
	18	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents and as National Legal Advisor, 1964
	19	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1965
	20	Council 402 Anniversary Program, 1964-1978
	21	Herrera Eulogy to Felix Tijerina, 1965
	22	Texas LULAC State Convention Program, May 1966
	23	LULAC News, Feb. 1965
	24	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents re National LULAC Week
	25	John J. Herrera Documents re LULAC Gallery of Honor and Prosperity, 1966
	26	Michael Herrera Correspondence & Documents re "LULAC Registration Fiesta," 1966
	27	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1966
	28	Larado LULAC Installation Banquet Program, June 9, 1967
	29	"In Honor of Roberto Ornelas, National President, League of United Latin American Citizens, Oct. 1, 1967" Program
	30	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1967-1968
Box	Folder
7	1	Speeches by John J. Herrera, 1970s
	2	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents re Council of Bovina, Texas, 1972
	3	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents re National LULAC Convention, Beaumont, Texas, 1972
	4	43rd Annual National Convention Program, June 29-July 2, 1972, Beaumont, Texas
	5	Histories of LULAC Anniversary Publications, 1972 & 1977
	6	LULAC News (Misc. Issues) 1972-1975
	7	Clippings re LULAC & Watergate, 1973
	8	Documents, 1973
	9	John J. Herrera Description of Past National Presidents, 1929-1974
	10	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1974-1975
	11	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Jan.-Aug. 1976
	12	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Sept.-Dec., 1976
	13	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, Jan.-March, 1977
	14	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, April, 1977
	15	John J. Herrera Correspondence, Reports, & Documents, as National Legal Advisor, May-June, 1977
	16	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, July, 1977
	17	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, August, 1977
	18	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, Sept.-Dec. 1977
Box	Folder
8	1	Supreme Council Meetings, 1976
	2	Special Funds, 1976-1977
	3	LULAC News published by Council # 289, Racine, Wisconsin, 1977;Colorado LULAC Newsletter, April 1977; Newsletter, Washington, D.C.,
	4	"LULAC News Page" of El Sol, Houston, Texas, June 23, 1977 & Anniversary Banquet Program of El Sol,
	5	LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc., Newsletter, Misc. Issues, 1976-1977
	6	Impeachment of Joseph Benites, 1975-1977
	7	Impeachment Proceedings of Joe Benites, 1977
	8	Impeachment of Joseph Benites
	9	Articles of Impeachment
	10	Impeachment of Joe Velez & Joseph Benites, 1977
	11		Impeachment Proceedings, Joe Velez, Confidential Protocol, 1977
	12	Impeachment of Joe Velez, 1977
	13	Impeachment of Joe Velez, 1977
Box	Folder
9	1	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1978
	2	John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Jan.-June, 1979
	3	Correspondence & Documents re Presidency of Ruben Bonilla, July-August, 1979
	4	Correspondence & Documents re Presidency of Ruben Bonilla, Sept.-Dec. 1979 & 1980
	5	LULAC News Two issues, 1979 & 1980
	6	Original Charter & Subsequent Charter Revisions, Amendments, Forfeiture, & Reinstatement, 1931-1950s
	7	Banco International vs LULAC, 1976
	8	J.R. Autolease Inc. vs LULAC, 1977
	9	Banco International De Arizona vs LULAC, 1977
	10	American Express vs LULAC
	11	American Express vs LULAC, 1976-1978
	12	American Express vs LULAC
	13	E & J Travel Bureau vs LULAC, 1977
	14	Arizona Bank Travel Service vs LULAC, 1975-1977
	15	Arizona Bank Travel Service vs LULAC
	16	Edward O'Neill & Betty O'Neill vs LULAC 1976-1977
	17	Cogswell Polytechnical College vs LULAC, 1976
	18	Internal Revenue Service, 1977
	19	Clippings & Documents re Coors Beer Company Controversy, 1977
	20	Manuel Vriarte vs LULAC, 1977
	21	Misc. Local Clippings re LULAC, Political Figures, & Joe Campos Torres Affair, 1977