Raymond L. Telles
Raymond L. Telles
Raymond L. Telles
Raymond L. Telles (1915-2013) was the first Mexican-American elected mayor of El Paso. He was known as a pioneer in El Paso politics, a friend and close adviser of President John F. Kennedy and a former ambassador to Costa Rica. Telles devoted his life to public service, serving four times as El Paso County clerk and twice as El Paso mayor (1957-1961). He also devoted more than 30 years of service in the military and as a civilian troubleshooter and adviser for the federal government. Over the years, Telles was widely applauded for challenging the political circles dominated by whites in El Paso in the 1940s and 1950s and for disproving the notion that Mexican-Americans could not be elected to public office or effectively run a city. A symbol of dignity, Telles has been most applauded as the leader who gave Mexican-Americans a voice in El Paso politics. Telles received numerous recognitions in his lifetime, including recognition in 2006 as Mayor Emeritus of El Paso. He died in 2013 at an age of 97.
Report this entry
More from the same community-collection
First Steps Eight Wall of Giants - El Paso, Texas
El Paso’s Eighth Wall of Giants First Steps: A Commemoration ...
CHS Band and Athletic Mementos - El Paso, Texas
Cathedral High School Band and Athletic mementos. 2017
World War II Memorial - El Paso, Texas
The Greatest Generation During this exhibit, discover the ...
Brother Amedy Long - El Paso, Texas
Brother Amedy Long (1914-1984) Brother Cecilian Amedy (Joseph ...
William H. Fryer - El Paso, Texas
William H. Fryer, AFSC (Affiliated Member of the Brother of the ...
Priest Breviary and Alb - El Paso, Texas
Priest Breviary, 1930s and Alb worn during the Cristero War when ...
Bishop Anthony Schuler’s Vestments - El Paso, Texas
Bishop Anthony Schuler’s Vestments (chasuble, mitre, cincture, ...
First Steps Exhibit Ceremony - 2017 - El Paso, Texas
First Steps Exhibit Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - 2017 - El Paso, ...
Chalk the block 2017 in El Paso
Joshua Elias (me) and my girlfriend Helen, downtown during chalk ...
2017 Junior League Christmas Fair - El Paso, Texas
Pictures at the 2017 Junior League Christmas Fair held on ...
El Paso Police Motorcycle Section, 1917
left to right: E.M. Wilson, M.F. Sherrer, Gus Yarbro, Tom ...
Podium Finish brings BMC Switzerland to El Paso
We are so proud to bring this world class brand to the Sun City ...
1950's El Paso Post Card El Paso, Texas
Walk into history! You are welcome to stand among the words "El ...
