Valley Lawmakers Say Gonzales Resignation Was the Right Decision

Aug 27, 06:05 PM

Current Headlines: By Elizabeth Pierson Hernandez, The Brownsville Herald, Texas

Aug. 27--AUSTIN -- Alberto Gonzales' decision to resign today from his job as U.S. Attorney General was a good one for him and the country, some Rio Grande Valley leaders said.

Local elected officials who, like Gonzales, are Mexican-American Texas attorneys, said they had high hopes for Gonzales when he was appointed the first Hispanic to hold the nation's top lawyer job, even if they were on the other end of the political spectrum.

"As the first American of Mexican-American descent to hold the position, the Attorney General had an opportunity to be a real leader at this difficult time and, unfortunately, I don't think he was able to achieve that," said state Rep. Aaron Pena, D-Edinburg.

Pena never worked closely with Gonzales, having joined the Legislature after Gonzales had left his posts with the Texas Supreme Court and Secretary of State's office. Pena, an Edinburg attorney, met Gonzales once when the then-Supreme Court justice visited the local Bar association, Pena said.

He was later disturbed by allegations that Gonzales played a part in the firing of U.S. Attorneys over political issues and approached then-Attorney General John Ashcroft in a hospital bed to seek wiretapping permission.

State Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, said he considers Gonzales a "friend." They knew each other as private attorneys in Texas, and Oliveira had long been in the Legislature when Gonzales rose in state government.

Although allegations against Gonzales have not received a "full airing," Oliveira said the resignation was the right decision.

"It appeared to me that his divided loyalties to his mentor and friend, President Bush, and those of country were irreconcilable for him," Oliveira said.

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