José Vela

speaker

855 appearances 12 recordings 1 series first heard Mar 2026 last heard 10 Sep

José Vela’s voice in public audio — every appearance, attributed to the second.

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recordings per month · last 12 months

Recordings per month over the last 12 months — 12 in all, peaking in Jul 2026 with 3.

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Austin City Council · City Council Proclamations · 23 Jul 2026 meeting

But really special people have lived in and around Austin.

Ernie, if I remember correctly, was taught at Wattis Lincoln University when Wattis Lincoln, when we had the Chicano University back in the days,

and he and Ruby called the Austin area their home for decades and were just intimately involved in so much of the Raza Roundtable group.

I could go on and on, but I know we've got a bunch of other events going on.

I want to just turn it over to their daughter, Diana Pena, to also say a few words.

It's my pleasure, and they really were two of the most Chicano Chicanos I know.

And let me go ahead and get a beautiful picture of them, that son is holding, and just a beautiful, beautiful, creative, colorful Ruby, always so full of life, dressed like just wow, and just always, I mean, dancing, and just, again, so much joy, so much joy.

So this is a proclamation honoring Ernie and Ruby Calderon.

Be it known that whereas Ernesto Calderon and Ruby Trevino Calderon devoted their lives to advancing civil rights, expanding educational opportunity, and uplifting the Chicano community across Texas,

leaving a legacy of service, leadership, and love that continues to shape generations.

And whereas Ernesto and Ruby Calderon's shared legacy began in Waco, Texas, where their values of service, community, and empowerment led them to become charter members of LULAC, then expanded to PASO, the Political Association of Spanish-Speaking Organizations, and the Mexican-American Alliance.

And whereas their activism expanded to become influential leaders of the Raza Unida Party,

helping mobilize generations of Central Texas Chicanos to engage in civic life and advocate for lasting systemic change.

And whereas, after arriving in Austin in 1976, they helped establish White as Lincoln University, a groundbreaking institution of higher learning for the Chicano community, where Ernesto earned his master's degree in education, marking the beginning of their long and influential involvement in Austin's Chicano community.

And whereas Ernesto's profound work ethic and sense of responsibility guided his 20 years of distinguished service in the United States Air Force with assignments in Texas, the Philippines, Spain, and Spain.

Whereas married for 72 years...

Ernesto and Ruby Calderon built a partnership rooted in profound love, mutual respect, and shared purpose, a union that became the foundation of their family and a source of inspiration to all who knew them.

Now, therefore, I, Chito Vela, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Austin, along with the entire Austin City Council and Mayor Kirk Watson, do hereby proclaim July 23rd as Ernesto and Ruby Calderon Day in Austin, Texas.

Thank you all so, so much for coming.

It's very, very special to honor them.

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