Leo James Leo Papers
Scope and Contents Note
The Leo James Leo collection is structured around four series: La Joya political activities and statements; Guillermo Flores Elementary School dedication; Personal and family history; and Posthumous dedications and tributes. There are video and audiotape interviews of Leo in the collection. Political handbills, programs, pamphlets, and political mailings are examples of the kind of printed materials found in this grouping. There are drafts and notes of speeches, one by Leo and one in tribute to Leo by Texas Agricultural Commissioner Jim Hightower. The collection includes items from the dedication of the La Joya City Hall. A videotape and photographs show the dedication ceremony of a La Joya school named after Leo. Also found in this collection is a transcription of the obituary of Edward Dougherty, Leo?s Great-Grandfather.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1960-1985
Language of Materials
English, Spanish
Access Restrictions
Unrestricted.
Use Restrictions
Standard copyright restrictions apply.
Biographical Note
Leo was born in Mission, Texas on 14 March 1917. Early in his life the family moved to La Joya. In 1937 he received his teaching certificate from the Texas A&I University. His first teaching assignment was in Zapata, Texas where he met Feliz Bustamante, whom he married on 26 May 1940. After the war they moved back to La Joya. He served as mayor from 1965 to 1979.
Political leader from La Joya, Texas and advocate for the poor Leo James Leo championed many Mexican-American causes. He was involved in both local and statewide politics. Leo served on the boards of directors of many Great Society poverty programs, such as the Associated City and County Economic Corporation, helping the poor with food, job assistance, housing, and medical help. He was often involved in controversy because of his forthright defense of these programs. In 1960 Leo and other Mexican-American political leaders organized the Political Association of Spanish Speaking Organizations (PASSO). Leo chaired the 1,000 member Hidalgo chapter of PASSO, the largest in the state. He also formed the Hidalgo County Political League, an association of liberal Anglo-American and Mexican-American Democrats, in the late 1960s. In addition, he assisted with summer youth programs and helped file citizenship papers for many Mexican immigrants. Leo James Leo died in McAllen, Texas on 14 July 1981.
Full Extent
2 linear inches
Abstract
This collection contains items relating to the life and activities of Mexican American political and civil rights leader Leo J. Leo of La Joya, Texas.
Acquisition Information
Information of acquisition method not available.
Accession numbers: 1984-21, 1987-05
Processing Information
Processing information not available.
- Title
- Leo James Leo Papers
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Finding aid written by the Benson Latin American Collection
- Date
- 2004
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- May 2021: Edited by D Ryan Lynch to fix compliance check errors to prepare for the migration to new TARO website.
- 2021 November: Edited by Devon Murphy to update control access terms and formatting based on the TARO Control Access List.
- 2025 July: Revised by Ryan Sullivant to fix validation errors prior to ingestion into ArchivesSpace.
- 2026: Edited by Carla O. Alvarez.
Repository Details
Part of the Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at Austin Repository
2300 Red River Street
Austin Texas 78712 United States
(512) 495-4578
bensonspecialcollections@austin.utexas.edu