Former U.S. Attorney General and native-born Texan to be honored for his achievements and dedication to improving the lives of others through service
The Texas State History Museum Foundation (TSHMF) will honor Dean of Belmont College of Law and former U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales as a 2024 History-Making Texan at the 20th annual Texas Independence Day Dinner in February. The award recognizes living Texas legends whose contributions to the state and the nation have been truly historic and exceptional in scope. Transformational medical leader and Texas native Kern Wildenthal is also set to receive the historic award.
“We are immensely proud of Judge Gonzales and his immeasurable contributions to the state of Texas, to Tennessee and the broader U.S. and to Belmont University,” said Belmont University President Greg Jones. “This honor speaks to his unwavering commitment to public and community service and to pursuing the end of justice for all people.”
For his many accomplishments and years of public service, Judge Gonzales has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Rice University and received the Harvard Law School Association Award, the Central Intelligence Agency’s Director’s Award and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. His work in the Hispanic community and his achievements as a role model have also earned him recognition as Hispanic American of the Year by HISPANIC Magazine and one of The 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America by TIME Magazine.
Previous recipients of the History-Making Texan award include Secretary James A. Baker III and Ambassador Robert S. Strauss, President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush, Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson and President George W. and Mrs. Laura Bush.
Judge Gonzales noted, “I am incredibly honored to be receiving such an award from my home state, and it is especially humbling to be joining the esteemed company of past honorees of the Texas State History Museum Foundation. I am grateful for those involved in my selection and for the many mentors, friends and family members who have supported me throughout my life.”
After attending the United States Air Force Academy, Gonzales received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rice University and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University. He was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate as the 80th Attorney General of the United States. He has worked as a partner at a major Houston law firm and held government positions as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Secretary of State, General Counsel to the Governor of Texas and Counsel to the President of the United States. Presently a member of the American Law Institute and the Uniform Law Commission, Judge Gonzales also serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville.
The Texas Independence Day Dinner celebrates the state’s rich cultural heritage and generates support for the Bullock Museum, the nation’s premier institution on Texas history. Nearly 500 business, political and community leaders attend the event each year. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the many educational programs and special projects of the Bullock Museum.
“Our recipients demonstrate how outstanding Texans contribute to our state, nation, and the globe at the highest levels. These honorees are both native-born Texans whose careers at the echelons of their fields grew from their deep-Texas roots,” said Richard Leshin, Dinner Co-chair and TSHMF Trustee. “Alberto Gonzales’ rise from the son of former migrant workers to U.S. Attorney General is the realization of the American dream. His life in public service also includes an appointment as Texas Secretary of State and as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of Texas. He has augmented his career in public service with many philanthropic works and community leadership roles, exemplifying a life dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of others.”
During his tenure as the Doyle Rogers Distinguished Chair and Dean of Belmont Law, Gonzales has led the program to astounding heights, including rankings that have measured among the highest ultimate bar passage rates for students nationally, and a 94 percent employment rate.
The 2024 Texas Independence Day Dinner will be held on February 29 at the Bullock Museum in Austin.