urn:taro:houpub.00009 John J. Herrera Papers: An inventory of his records at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library Inventory prepared by Thomas Kreneck and Victor Borgeson Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library 1992
500 McKinney St. Julia Ideson Building 2nd Floor Houston, TX 77002 832-393-1665
Text converted by SPI Content Sciences Inc., February 2003. Finding aid written in English. May 21, 2004 Proofread by Andy Hempe. August 2003 Edited with XMetal 3 by Susan Lindberg, according to instructions in TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions Descriptive Summary Herrera, John J. John J. Herrera Papers 1940-1980Materials are in English. MSS 0160 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 is correspondence, documents and speeches. Much of the correspondence is with leaders in the Mexican American community and also with 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.

 Use Restrictions

None

 Preferred Citation

John J. Herrera Papers. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library.

 Acquisition Information

Donated by John J. Herrera on August 14, 1984

 Processing Information

Processed by Thomas Kreneck

Processing completed by Victor Borgeson in 1992

 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 Index Terms Subjects 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.) Organizations Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (Houston, Tex.) League of United Latin American Citizens League of United Latin American Citizens. Council #60 (Houston, Tex.) Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund PASO Viva Johnson Clubs Personal names Aguayo, G. R. Azios, A. D. Benitez, Joseph Bonilla, Ruben Bonilla, William Cadena, Carlos Casas, J. B. Casey, Bob Castaneda, Carlos Eduardo, 1896-1958 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- Herrera, John J., 1910-1986 Hofheinz, Roy M. Holcombe, Oscar, 1888-1968 House, J. H. B. Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973 Kazen, Abraham Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963 Kern, C. V. Kilgore, Joe Mann, Frank E. Montalbo, Phil Morales, Felix H. Moreno, Carlos Ornelas, Roberto Perales, Alonso S. Pinedo, Frank Rodriguez, Cleto Sanchez, George I. Shivers, Allan Thomas, Albert, 1898-1966 Tijerina, Felix, 1905-1965 Velez, Joe Yarborough, Ralph Detailed Description John J. Herrera Material 1 1 Membership Cards and Licenses of John J. Herrera 1 2 Biographical article on John J. Herrera, 1940s 1 3 Resume of John J. Herrera 1 4 Biographical article on John J. Herrera, 1970s 1 5 Speeches on Legal Matters and on being a Lawyer by John J. Herrera 1 6 Speeches and Tributes to John J. Herrera 1 7 Ruiz-Herrera Family History 1 8 Letters to the Editor by John J. Herrera, 1940s-1970s 1 9 Testimonial dinner for John J. Herrera, 1980 1 10 Family & Personal Correspondence & Documents, 1950s-1970s 1 11 John J. Herrera Family and Personal Business Documents, 1940s-1970s 1 12 Poll Tax Receipts of John J. Herrera, 1930s-1960s 1 13 Correspondence with & documents Relating to Ernest Herrera 1 14 Letters of Recommendation and Documents Related to John J. Herrera becoming an Attorney, 1940s 1 15 Correspondence of and Documents Relating to John Michael Herrera, 1960s-1970s 1 16 Correspondence with Douglas MacArthur Herrera, 1960s-1970s 1 17 Greeting Cards to John J. Herera and Family 1 18 Correspondence and Programs Relating to San Jacinto Day and Sons of the Republic of Texas 1 19 Speeches made by John J. Herrera at San Jacinto, 1940s-1960s 1 20 Clippings re John J. Herrera's Participation in San Jacinto Day Celebrations, 1940s-50s 1 21 Autographed San Jacinto Speech by Martin Dies, 1969 1 22 Political speeches by John J. Herrera on Behalf of Candidates, 1940s-1970s 1 23 Documents Relating to John J. Herrera's Candidacy for Political Office, 1950s 1 24 Misc. Speeches by John J. Herrera on Civic and Ethnic Issues, 1960s-1970s 1 25 Article for Chronicle, Nov. 1983 1 26 John J. Herrera: Death of, Benefit Honoring: 1986 2 1 Clippings re Discrimination in Texas, 1940s-1950s 2 2 John J. Herrera Correspondence re Oscar Holcombe, Frank Mann, Latin American Club of Harris County, & Commissioner J.H.B. House, 1930s-1941 2 3 Minutes of a State Convention of Latin American Leaders Creating a Texas Pro Human Relations Fund, Corpus Christi, 1951 2 4 Political Associations of Spanish-speaking Organizations (PASO), Publications, Houston, & Civic Action Committee, 1960s 2 5 Vida Latina, Chicago, Illinois publication, Vol. 3, No. 3, March 1954 2 6 Letter to John J. Herrera from Percy Foreman re Discrimination, 1944 2 7 John J. Herrera--Carlos Castaneda Correspondence, 1947 & 1949 2 8 John J. Herrera--Carlos Castaneda: Correspondence & Documents re President's Committee on Fair Employment Practice, 1943-1945 2 9 George I. Sanchez: Misc. Correspondence 2 10 A. L. Wirin & George I. Sanchez Correspondence re Discrimination, 1954-1955 2 11 Dr. Hector P. Garcia & G.I. Forum, 1950s-1970s 2 12 The Hispanic-American Corporation, Houston, Texas 2 13 Correspondence & Clippings re Misc. Houston Chicano Leaders, 1970s 2 14 Programa Official de Las Fiestas Patrias, Houston, Tejas (2 copies), Sept. 1969 2 15 Correspondence, clippings & Documents re James De Anda, A.D. Azios, Phil Montalbo, & Carlos Cadena 2 16 J.B. Casas & G.R. Aquayo Correspondence, 1959-1970s 2 17 Correspondence & Documents re Frank Pinedo, 1950s-1970s 2 18 Correspondence re Alonso S. Perales, Alfred J. Hernandez & Abraham Kazen 2 19 Clippings, Correspondence, & Documents re Delgado CASE and Segregation of Mexican-Americans in Texas Schools, 1948-1980 2 20 Correspondence Relative to and by Gus C. Garcia, 1940s-1963 2 21 Articles on Gus C. Garcia 2 22 Speeches and Editorial Letters by Gus C. Garcia, 1940s-1950s 2 23 Eulogy and Documents re Burial and Tribute to Gus C. Garcia 2 24 Correspondence & Documents re Pete Hernandez Case, 1950s-1970s 2 25 Pete Hernandez vs the State of Texas, 1950s 2 26 Mexican Americans and the Desegregation of Schools in the Southwest 2 27 Gus C. Garcia Scholarship Fund, 1964 2 28 Harry B. Gonzalez 2 29 Macario Garcia: Documents and Eulogy 2 30 Cleto Rodrigues: Citation 2 31 Congressional Medal of Honor Society, 1969 2 32 IMAGE of Houston, 1977 2 33 AAMA, MALDEF, Mex-Am Bar Association (Misc. News letters) 1970s-1980s 2 34 Clippings & Articles re Mexican-American Laborers, immigrants, and illegal aliens, 1960s-1970s 3 1 Misc. Correspondence from Houston Notables & Misc. Documents re Houston Campaigns 3 2 Fred Hofheinz: Correspondence & Documents re campaign and Mayor's Tenure 3 3 Misc. Correspondence with State Political Figures 3 4 Misc. Correspondence with Misc. National Political Figures 3 5 Correspondence of John J. Herrera with Albert Thomas & Joe Kilgore 3 6 Supporter Lists, Mailouts, News Release, and Minutes of Meeting of Viva Johnson Clubs, 1964 3 7 Clippings, Articles, & Flyers re Viva Johnson Clubs and Campaign, 1964 3 8 Correspondence to & from, And Documents re Jim Wright, 1960s 3 9 Political Campaign Material 1968, 1972 3 10 Correspondence with & Documents re C. V. Buster Kern 3 11 Correspondence, Flyers re Kennedy-Johnson, 1960 3 12 Correspondence, Flyers & Stickers re Democratic Primary, 1962 3 13 Clippings, and Correspondence with Lyndon Johnson, 1940s-1960s 3 14 Viva Johnson Campaign Memorabilia, 1964 3 15 Misc. Correspondence with Price Daniel 3 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 3 17 Correspondence, clippings, and flyers re Kennedy & Johnson, 1962-63 3 18 John J. Herrera to President John F. Kennedy, inviting him to his appearance at the Rice Hotel Oct. 24, 1963 3 19 Telegram & Correspondence re Viva Johnson Clubs & Campaign, 1964 3 20 Allan Shivors: Telegrams to and Speech on Behalf of, by John J. Herrera 3 21 John Connally: Correspondence from and to John J. Herrera, 1960s 3 22 John Connally Campaigns: Correspondence, Clippings, Flyers, 1960s 3 23 Ralph Yarborough, 1950s-60s 3 24 El Democrata (Carr for Senate, Campaign) 1966 3 25 Jimmy Carter 3 26 T.W. Buckshot Lane, Sheriff of Wharton County, 1940s-50s 3 27 Dr. Hector Garcia, Speech & Radio Announcement for Yarborough Candidacy, 1950s 3 28 Correspondence with Congressman Bob Casey 3 29 Correspondence with Kika De La Garza 3 30 Documents re Roy Hofheinz, 1950s 4 1 Felix H. Morales File: Documents re Founding of KLVL, 1947-1949, & Documents re Joe Morales 4 2 Rios, Ben et. al. vs O.B. Ellis, et. al, Prison Farm Segregation Case, 1955 4 3 Private Abel Cisneros Army Discharge Case, 1952-1954 4 4 Immigration Cases Legal Papers, 1960s-1970s 4 5 Kenneth L. Ballard Case, 1971 4 6 Legal and General Correspondence of John J. Herrera, 1940s 4 7 Legal Documents and General Correspondence of John J. Herrera, 1950s 4 8 Legal and General Correspondence & Documents of John J. Herrera, 1960-1965 4 9 Legal and General Correspondence & Documents of John J. Herrera, 1966-1969 4 10 Legal and General Correspondence and Documents of John J. Herrera, 1970-1975 4 11 Legal and General Correspondence of John J. Herrera, 1977 4 12 Legal and General Correspondence & Documents of John J. Herrera, 1976-1980 League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Materials 5 1 Banquet in Houston Program, 1942 5 2 John J. Herrera Correspondence and documents, 1942-1946 5 3 The Pan American (San Antonio, Texas Publication), January 1945, Vol. 1 No. 4; Article re Council No. 60 5 4 LULAC News, October 1945 5 5 LULAC News, Nov. 1946 5 6 LULAC News, May 1947 5 7 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1947 5 8 John J. Herrera Correspondence and Documents, 1948 5 9 John J. Herrera Correspondence and Documents, 1949 5 10 John J. Herrera Correspondence and Documents re Texas Regional Convention in Houston, 1949 5 11 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, June-August, 1950 5 12 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Jan.-May, 1950 5 13 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Sept.-Dec., 1950 5 14 John J. Herrera Correspondence, Documents, and Clippings, January-July, 1951 5 15 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Aug.-Dec., 1951 5 16 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, January-May, 1952 5 17 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, As National President, June-December, 1952 5 18 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, As National President, Jan.-March, 1953 5 19 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, As National President, April-May, 1953 5 20 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, June-Dec., 1953 5 21 Membership Information Sheets, 1953 5 22 John J. Herrera for National President, 1953 5 23 John J. Herrera As National President, Official Reports, Financial & Council Meetings, 1952-1953 6 1 Frank Pinedo for National President, 1954 6 2 LULAC NEWS, June, 1954 6 3 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1954 6 4 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Jan.-May, 1955 6 5 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, June-Dec., 1955 6 6 LULAC News, June, 1955 6 7 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Tijerina-Herrera Exchange, 1956 6 8 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, re Felix Tijerina Administration, 1957 6 9 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1958 6 10 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1959 6 11 Speeches by John J. Herrera, 1940s-50s 6 12 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1960 6 13 Speeches by John J. Herrera, 1960s 6 14 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1961 6 15 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1962-1963 6 16 LULAC News, JFK Memorial Issue, Nov.-Dec. 1963 6 17 William Bonilla For President 1964 6 18 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents and as National Legal Advisor, 1964 6 19 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1965 6 20 Council 402 Anniversary Program, 1964-1978 6 21 Herrera Eulogy to Felix Tijerina, 1965 6 22 Texas LULAC State Convention Program, May 1966 6 23 LULAC News, Feb. 1965 6 24 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents re National LULAC Week 6 25 John J. Herrera Documents re LULAC Gallery of Honor and Prosperity, 1966 6 26 Michael Herrera Correspondence & Documents re LULAC Registration Fiesta, 1966 6 27 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1966 6 28 Larado LULAC Installation Banquet Program, June 9, 1967 6 29 In Honor of Roberto Ornelas, National President, League of United Latin American Citizens, <date normal="19671001">Oct. 1, 1967</date> Program 6 30 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1967-1968 7 1 Speeches by John J. Herrera, 1970s 7 2 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents re Council of Bovina, Texas, 1972 7 3 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents re National LULAC Convention, Beaumont, Texas, 1972 7 4 43rd Annual National Convention Program, June 29-July 2, 1972, Beaumont, Texas 7 5 Histories of LULAC Anniversary Publications, 1972 & 1977 7 6 LULAC News (Misc. Issues) 1972-1975 7 7 Clippings re LULAC & Watergate, 1973 7 8 Documents, 1973 7 9 John J. Herrera Description of Past National Presidents, 1929-1974 7 10 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1974-1975 7 11 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Jan.-Aug. 1976 7 12 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Sept.-Dec., 1976 7 13 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, Jan.-March, 1977 7 14 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, April, 1977 7 15 John J. Herrera Correspondence, Reports, & Documents, as National Legal Advisor, May-June, 1977 7 16 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, July, 1977 7 17 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, August, 1977 7 18 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents as National Legal Advisor, Sept.-Dec. 1977 8 1 Supreme Council Meetings, 1976 8 2 Special Funds, 1976-1977 8 3 LULAC News published by Council # 289, Racine, Wisconsin, 1977; Colorado LULAC Newsletter, April 1977; Newsletter, Washington, D.C., 1977 8 4 LULAC News Page of El Sol, Houston, Texas, June 23, 1977 & anniversary Banquet Program of El Sol, 1977 8 5 LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc., Newsletter, Misc. Issues, 1976-1977 8 6 Impeachment of Joseph Benites, 1975-1977 8 7 Impeachment Proceedings of Joe Benites, 1977 8 8 Impeachment of Joseph Benites 8 9 Articles of Impeachment 8 10 Impeachment of Joe Velez & Joseph Benites, 1977 8 11 Impeachment Proceedings, Joe Velez, Confidential Protocol, 1977 8 12 Impeachment of Joe Velez, 1977 8 13 Impeachment of Joe Velez, 1977 9 1 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, 1978 9 2 John J. Herrera Correspondence & Documents, Jan.-June, 1979 9 3 Correspondence & Documents re Presidency of Ruben Bonilla, July-August, 1979 9 4 Correspondence & Documents re Presidency of Ruben Bonnilla, Sept.-Dec. 1979 & 1980 9 5 LULAC News Two issues, 1979 & 1980 9 6 Original Charter & Subsequent Charter Revisions, Amendments, Forfeiture, & Reinstatement, 1931-1950s 9 7 Banco International vs LULAC, 1976 9 8 J.R. Autolease Inc. vs LULAC, 1977 9 9 Banco International De Arizona vs LULAC, 1977 9 10 American Express vs LULAC 9 11 American Express vs LULAC, 1976-1978 9 12 American Express vs LULAC 9 13 E & J Travel Bureau vs LULAC, 1977 9 14 Arizona Bank Travel Service vs LULAC, 1975-1977 9 15 Arizona Bank Travel Service vs LULAC 9 16 Edward O'Neill & Betty O'Neill vs LULAC 1976-1977 9 17 Cogswell Polytechnical College vs LULAC, 1976 9 18 Internal Revenue Service, 1977 9 19 Clippings & Documents re Coors Beer Company Controversy, 1977 9 20 Manuel Vriarte vs LULAC, 1977 9 21 Misc. Local Clippings re LULAC, Political Figures, & Joe Campos Torres Affair, 1977