Education:
Tafolla Middle School
Class of 1988
Thomas Jefferson High School
Class of 1992
Stanford University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications
Class of 1996
Harvard Law School
Juris Doctorate
Class of 2000
Work Experience:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld Law Firm
2000-2001
Texas House of Representatives
District 125
2002-2012
United States Congress
Texas District 20
2012- Present
Work in Congress:
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
House Foreign Affairs Committee
· Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations
· Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
· First Vice Chair
U.S.-Japan Caucus
· Founding Co-Chair
Congressional Pre-K Caucus
· Founding Co-Chair
Congressional Caucus on ASEAN
· Founding Co-Chair
New Democrat Coalition
Biography:
Joaquin Castro was born in San Antonio, Texas, and is a second generation Mexican American. He was raised on the city’s Westside and is a proud product of the public school system. Congressman Castro has worked hard to seize the opportunities created by the sacrifices of his grandmother and prior generations. After finishing high school a year early, he left San Antonio to graduate with honors from Stanford University in 1996. He then went on to attend Harvard Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 2000. Upon his return to San Antonio at 28 years old, Joaquin joined a private law practice and was elected to the Texas Legislature. He served five terms as state representative for District 125. While in the State Legislature, Congressman Castro transcended partisan gridlock to help restore millions of dollars in funding to critical health care and education programs. In 2012, Joaquin was elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives as representative of Texas’ 20th Congressional District. In 2016, he founded the first-ever Congressional Pre-K Caucus and currently serves as a co-chair of the growing, bipartisan group.
His respect for public service developed at a young age and was deeply influenced by his parents’ involvement in political movements and civic causes. His father, a retired teacher, and his mother, a renowned community activist, instilled in him a deep appreciation for the democratic process and the importance of serving one’s community.
Joaquin wants to help build out what he calls the Infrastructure of Opportunity – great public schools and universities, a sound healthcare system, and good-paying jobs – that enables Americans to pursue their American Dream. Congressman Castro continues to be a tireless advocate for those who call San Antonio home, from supporting military families to investing in education, and he remains committed to helping Americans around the country.