HARLINGEN — More than sixty years ago, former Mayor Sam Lozano began forging his way into the city’s government and educational system, breaking down barriers that helped Mexican Americans grasp for their share of the American dream.
On Wednesday, newly-elected Mayor Norma Sepulveda honored Lozano, 96, for carving out a legacy that helped her clinch last month’s historic victory which made her the first woman to win the city’s highest elected office.
“It’s such a privilege and honor for me to provide the keys to the city,” Sepulveda told Lozano. “I couldn’t think of a better person than the first Hispanic mayor of the city of Harlingen — the first person to make history right here.”
With his wife Olga at his side, Lozano stood in his trademark white guayabera as Sepulveda presented him with the plaque.
“It’s been a privilege,” Lozano said as he fought back tears. “It was very difficult here in this community to be in government. Through energy and hard work, we were able to penetrate (the wall) for Mexicanos. I never thought a (man) from the west side could be mayor — and now a woman. Mayor to mayor, we have a great city. To be next to a woman mayor, we’ve come a long way.”
Sam Lozano’s Day
Sepulveda’s proclamation declared Wednesday “Sam Lozano’s Day.”
“I feel very, very fortunate that some people still can recognize an individual for their efforts in government, because it takes different people to have good government,” Lozano said before the ceremony. “Now I think about a woman being elected mayor — a Hispanic. Nobody ever would have thought that. What an accomplishment. That’s an advancement for the Hispanic community. I’m very proud to be in Harlingen and say we’re at the point we have a Mexicana mayor. That’s beyond my wildest dreams.”
First Mexican American mayor
Born into one of the city’s pioneer families, Lozano earned two university degrees, working as a Harlingen school principal while becoming the third Mexican American elected to the city commission in 1962.
“Here in Harlingen it was difficult to advance,” he said before the ceremony. “I had a degree and the necessary education to do a good job in school and city administration but they nominated Anglos even though I had more experience and more education.”
In 1970, Lozano became the first Mexican American to win the mayor’s office.
“I ran because I felt I could contribute to the city,” he said. “It was difficult and took a lot of gumption. I did get Anglo support — very little, but enough to win the mayor’s race. Nobody ever thought I could become mayor. This was the mindset. They didn’t expect a Hispanic would advance in any manner or form. They never thought a Hispanic could merit or have a say in how to conduct a city meeting.”
From 1977 to 1983, he again served on the city commission before returning to the mayor’s office in 1983, going on to serve until 1987.
During city commission meetings, Lozano remembers being called a Mexican.
“It was rough,” he said. “In a meeting, Anglos made mention of Mexicans — ‘the Mexican voted this way.’ It was not easy to be a city commissioner when you are a lone Mexicano. But they didn’t scare me. You advance by working hard. I worked to try to make change.”
Then he paused.
“I never thought I’d divulge this to you,” he said softly during an interview. “I’m not complaining. I’m just pointing out how much advancement we have made and I’m proud to have been able to advance the Hispanic community.
“It’s good to know I set an example for others to follow, being a Hispanic who advanced in education and government. Thank God, I was able to play a role in changing the way people are treated.”
