Skip to content

Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Leap At SHSU!

Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Tag: Attorney General

A Day With Judge Gonzales

This semester, we hosted former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales again at SHSU. A group of about 12 students were selected to ask him questions about his career and solicit his advice on a number of topics.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales

He told us a bit about himself and his journey to the White House. Born in Humble, Texas he graduated high school and joined the Air Force. After attending the Air Force Academy, he went to Rice University and later moved on to Harvard Law School. He worked for several years in the private sector and eventually became partner at one of Texas’s largest law firms: Vinson & Elkins (interestingly, this law firm was founded by Judge James Elkins, a Huntsville resident). Then, he served as a Texas Supreme Court Justice before moving on to the White House to serve as White House Counsel and, subsequently, Attorney General. Most notably, he was our country’s first Hispanic Attorney General under President George W. Bush.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales

After a brief overview of his life, he asked us about our aspirations. Many of us told him that we hoped to go to law school. Being the current Dean of Belmont University College of Law, he was able to offer advice and shared with us what his school looks for in applicants.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales

Unlike the previous 4-5 times he’s visited, Judge Gonzales dismissed a prepared discussion and simply jumped into an interactive discussion.  One student, Conner Flynt, asked about the portrayal of Dick Cheney in “Vice.”  Gonzales, who hasn’t seen the film, asked Flynt how Cheney was portrayed, to which Flynt responded, “As the person who told President Bush what to do.”  Gonzales dispelled that portrayal, noting that, while Cheney was a powerful VP, President Bush made the decisions.  All the members of the Cabinet were invited to provide opinions–even forceful opinions–but once the decisions were made, President Bush expected people to be on board.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales

Other questions pertained to Gonzales’s ethnic background and whether being Hispanic hurt him in his political career.  Gonzales shrugged this off a bit, noting that he knows there were some people rooting against him because of his ethnicity, while also noting that opportunities were opened to him because of his ethnicity.  He specifically mentioned that, after being appointed to the TX Supreme Court, President Bush was asked whether Gonzales’s Hispannic background was a factor in his selection.  President Bush responded, “Yes. I wanted a qualified Hispanic on the court, because I think it’s important that the Texas Supreme Court look like Texas.”  (Incidentally, Bush also appointed the first African American Justice to the Supreme Court, Wallace Jefferson.)

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales

Gonzales further intrigued us with his discussion of 9-11, when he was stranded at an airport after all planes were grounded.  As it turned out, he was flown back to the Washington, DC by a Navy pilot.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales

He also reminisced about the time that he was “designated survivor” during a State of the Union speech.  He was given the option to be flown around on Air Force One or go to an “undisclosed location.”  He opted for Air Force One, in which he was briefed on various National Security issues that would immediately be relevant should a tragedy befall the US Capitol Building.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales

As Judge Gonzales began his closing, he encouraged us to make things happen, which can only begin when students take opportunities.  By taking those opportunities, new opportunities will arise, and one of those may be the kind of life-changing opportunity he had when President Bush asked him to be on the Texas Supreme Court.

Colonel Yebra, wrapped up the conversation with some encouraging words, and Judge Gonzales thanked Yebra for his service (Yebra did three tours in the Middle East) and called him a “hero.”

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales, Colonel Yebra

When the discussion was completely over, we paused for a group photo…

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales

…and we left the room, enthusiastic and inspired.

 

 

 

Author mikeyawnPosted on April 16, 2019Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, LawTags Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, SHSU, TX Supreme Court, White House ConselLeave a comment on A Day With Judge Gonzales

Learning the Law: Former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Visits SHSU

By Sawyer Massie

For the fifth time in seven years, former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales visited the SHSU campus and spoke to LEAP Ambassadors and invited guests. As in the previous times, it was informative, educational and entertaining.

To ensure each student had a chance to ask questions and follow-ups, the event was limited to about a dozen students.  Christina Perez, Vice-President of the LEAP Ambassadors, led the meeting and began with an in-depth synopsis of General Gonzales’s biography. Humorously, she was cut short by Gonzales who said, “there’s no need for all that. Just play the video.”

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, Belmont Law School

What followed was a slideshow presentation containing photos of the former Attorney General’s adventures in the White House. After the video, we spent a long while listening to his journeys through politics, which touched on much of what the LEAP Center does: Law, Engagement, And Politics. In many respects, General Gonzales was the right person to lead such a discussion, having:

  • Served as a partner at Texas’s largest law firm;
  • Served as a Texas Supreme Court Justice;
  • Served as White House Counsel;
  • Served as US Attorney General;
  • Served as a Law School Dean at Belmont Law School.

What was thought to be a formal discussion ended up being a friendly chat with a seemingly normal person. What boggled our mind the most was how down-to-earth he was. Each time his accolades and awards were brought up, he would downplay them and encourage us that we could do the same.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, Belmont Law School

What he offered was encouragement, counsel to work hard, set high goals, avoid discouragement, and to choose mentors, but to choose them wisely. It’s advice that can be found elsewhere, but it was attached to personal stories that demonstrate that this can, in fact, happen.  Gonzales, for example, was one of eight siblings raised by hard-working immigrant parents, neither of whom ever made it to middle school, and for several years, he was the highest-ranking Hispanic official in the history of the United States.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, Belmont Law School

It was an enlightening afternoon, one that left us eager for Dean Gonzales’s next visit.

 

Author mikeyawnPosted on May 19, 2018May 19, 2018Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, LawTags Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, Belmont Law School, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, SHSULeave a comment on Learning the Law: Former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Visits SHSU

Legal Advice from the Top

For the 2nd time in a year, the LEAP Center Ambassadors met with–and gained valuable advice from–former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

It was also the 2nd time that LEAP Ambassador Austin Campbell had the honor of introducing Gonzales.

Gonzales_Austin_Intro_2_Web

And there was a lot to cover in the introduction: Gonzales was the first Hispanic partner at Vinson and Elkins, one of the largest law firms in the US and the largest in Texas.  He was then appointed by President Bush to the Texas Supreme Court.  When Bush won the Presidency, he asked Gonzales to be White House counsel.  When Bush was re-elected, Gonzales was appointed as US Attorney General.

But last week, he was an advisor to LEAP Ambassadors by morning and advisor to Dr. Heather Evans’ Political Science class by afternoon.

Gonzales_Class_1_Web

In both sessions, he opened with a video of his time in the White House.  With soaring music, patriotic symbols of the US, and some of the premier leaders of the last 20 years, it was a stirring video.  It was a fitting accompaniment for what General Gonzales called the “best place I’ve ever worked.”

Gonzales_Video_Web

In both meetings, he hit on interesting topics, particularly for those interested in POLS or pre-law:

  • Advising the President on Law: It’s not intimidating.  The President took my advice on the legal aspects of matters.  If a policy was illegal, it was the end of discussion.  But if it was legal, the President typically relied on other advisors for the wisdom of such policies.
  • The Hours in the White House: You work 7am-8pm on weekdays, significant hours on Saturday, and you work many Sundays.  You need an understanding spouse to work in the White House, and the pay isn’t great, but it’s an honor.

Gonzales_Speaking_1_Web

  • Ethnicity and Success: I think race has helped me at times and hurt me at times.  Some people rooted against me to become the first minority partner in my law firm.  But President Bush also explicitly said that my ethnicity was a factor in picking me for the Supreme Court of Texas.  Texas has a significant Hispanic population, and he wanted that fact reflected on the Supreme Court.
  • Merrick Garland and a Senate Vote: Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland deserves a vote by the US Senate.  A senator can vote for or against according to the dictates of his or her own conscience, but the nominee deserves a vote and the public deserves to know how each senator voted.  (This point was particularly appropriate in Dr. Evans’ US Congress class, in which we were covering Legislative-Executive relations).
  • Working in the White House: It was “great.”  I didn’t miss a day because of illness, because I wanted to be there and had much work to do.  It was an honor every day to go into work.

Gonzales_Speaking_7_Web

Gonzales also provided career-specific advice.  He encouraged us to open up as many doors as possible, noting that you never know when a person in a position of power might be paying attention to who is and who isn’t working hard and worthy of additional opportunities.

With these words of encouragement in mind, the LEAP Ambassadors headed off to their classes, to study, or to their LSAT Prep Courses, hoping for additional opportunities!

Gonzales_Speaking_10_Web

The LEAP Center would like to thank Colonel David Yebra for arranging these meetings!

Author mikeyawnPosted on April 10, 2016April 10, 2016Categories Civic Engagement, Law, PoliticsTags Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, LEAP Center, SHSU, White House CounselLeave a comment on Legal Advice from the Top

A Morning with Alberto Gonzales

By Constance Gabel

Imagine overlooking the South Lawn of the White House—the Washington Monument in the distance, honking cars passing on 17th Street. It’s a beautiful day in the Nation’s capitol, made even more magnificent because you are standing on the Truman Balcony of the White House with the President of the United States. This was the life of Alberto Gonzales, who served as White House Counsel and US Attorney General during the Bush Administration. Thanks to Lt. Colonel Yebra at SHSU, General Gonzales made a visit to our University, where LEAP Center and a smattering of other students engaged in an hour and a half discussing with the former Counselor to the President.

Gonzales_Speaking_Students_Web

Born in Humble, Texas, Al Gonzales truly came from humble beginnings. His success, he says, comes from his parents and the attitudes they instilled, despite a lack of material comforts. In fact, he didn’t even have indoor plumbing as a child. As an adult, however, he excelled academically and occupationally. He graduated from Rice with his Bachelor’s Degree; he later graduated from Harvard Law. These accomplishments laid the foundation for becoming the first Hispanic male to make partner at Vinson & Elkins and the first Hispanic US Attorney General.

When asked about life’s turning points, Gonzales couldn’t pinpoint a single event. Instead, he noted that taking opportunities as they come along is a key to success. Nor, he said, did he seek out mentors. In his case, a mentor—George W. Bush—found him, another opportunity that he was quick to take.

Alberto Gonzales with Bush and Sandra Day O'Connor
Alberto Gonzales with Bush and O’Connor

General Gonzales spent little time discussing the controversies surrounding his White House years, but he did describe the job as perhaps the most difficult in the cabinet. While this took a toll on his family, he remains grateful for his time in the White House, and positive about his life in general.

Gonzales_Speaking_Students_2_Web

For students, most of whom weren’t paying attention to politics during the Bush years, it was a positive, career-affirming discussion. LEAP Center member Austin Campbell introduced the former Attorney General, and students asked approximately 20 questions, with Gonzales answering them all patiently and even cheerfully, repeating his refrain to stay positive and take opportunities.

Austin_Campbell_Introduction_3_Web

Speaking of which, we are very grateful to Colonel Yebra for this opportunity, and we plan to implement General Gonzales’s advice!

Gonzales_Students_Web

 

Author mikeyawnPosted on April 24, 2015Categories Civic Engagement, Law, PoliticsTags Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, David Yebra, LEAP Center, SHSULeave a comment on A Morning with Alberto Gonzales

LEAP Ambassadors Are Involved!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Follow Us On Facebook!

Follow Us On Facebook!

Catch Up With Us

  • SHAIP Speaker Series January 28, 2023
  • The Waco Siege: 30 Years Later January 27, 2023
  • Civics 101: Gubernatorial Inauguration 2023 January 20, 2023
  • MLK Day: And Beyond January 17, 2023
  • Congressmen Kevin Brady’s Walker County Goodbye January 3, 2023

Join The Conversation!

Louis Parker on Minding Monkeypox: Expert Pane…
Arrival: Wichita… on Civics, History, and Citi…
mikeyawn on Emergency Services: A Leisurel…
Louis Parker on Emergency Services: A Leisurel…
Louis Parker on An Evening South of the Border…

Find Previous Posts

Jackson Pollock was born 111 years ago this past weekend, but the LEAP Ambassadors celebrate Pollock year-round!

We also have Twitter!

My Tweets

LEAPing Into LEARNing

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Follow Following
    • Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics
    • Join 392 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...