José Tomás Canales, Date of Birth, Date of Death

José Tomás Canales

American businessman, lawyer, and politician

Date of Birth: 07-Mar-1877

Date of Death: 30-Mar-1976

Profession: politician

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

José Tomás Canales (March 7, 1877 – March 30, 1976) was an American businessman, lawyer, and politician based in Texas.
He served five terms in the State House, where he was the only Hispanic representative at the time.
He is best known for his work on behalf of Mexican-Americans and Tejanos in Texas, defending civil rights of Hispanic and other minorities.
As a state representative, in 1919 he led a state investigation into the Texas Rangers force, who had been accused of crimes and abuses in the Rio Grande Valley, including the Porvenir Massacre.
The committee heard testimony from 83 witnesses, who revealed extensive abuses by the Rangers of minorities and other poor citizens.
After his service in the State House, Canales continued his work as civil rights activist through several Hispanic and Latin American organizations.