My mom and I have always been close to Gavino Fernandez Jr. and the late Joe Quintero. They were always there for us, no matter what. Growing up without a father can be difficult for anyone, but having the Latino community in Austin support us has meant the world to me. Knowing that we are not alone has helped us get through tough times. The Latino community is tight-knit, and we look out for each other. We know what each other is going through and support each other. I am grateful for Gavino Fernandez Jr. and the late Joe Quintero, who has always been there for me and my mom. They are unique people, and I will never forget their kindness and support.
One year during the holidays, our car broke down, and we didn’t have a car to go to the grocery store to pick up supplies for Christmas dinner. I remember the hopelessness on my mother’s face when she realized our predicament. She called Gavino for a ride to the store, but to our surprise, he brought boxes with all the trimmings for Christmas dinner and even a few pies he had gotten from Cristo Rey. We had been having a tough year and were not expecting much for Christmas, so seeing Gavino pull up with all of this food was a blessing. One of the things he had brought was a jar of caramel. I was so excited because We had never had that before. My mother started crying happily when she realized what Gavino had done for us. He has such a generous heart and has touched the lives of so many in our neighborhood.
We call Gavino the real mayor of East Austin – a man who has spent his life fighting for the rights and well-being of his community. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time in south Texas, and I was struck by how different the climate and atmosphere are compared to east Austin. While in south Texas, I found myself drawn to the ocean precisely because I felt that the ocean air gave me the energy I needed to write my screenplays – often very deep and emotional scripts.
Coming back home to Austin after completing 50 pages of my latest script, I felt a sense of peace and grounding when I saw Gavino outside the AB Cantu Pan AM Hillside park. It’s always reassuring to see Gavino in east Austin at an event or rally fighting for our rights. LA PRENSA believes it is his time to win the district 3 representative position – a position he is thoroughly knowledgeable about and passionate about. He has been an advocate for our people, and we must all stand behind him as he fights for the opportunity to solidify his position in east Austin as our District 3 representative.
Gavino Fernandez is a Latino man who has been an activist for his community for many years. He has always been dedicated to helping others. Gavino has worked hard to improve the lives of Mexican Americans, and he continues to fight for justice and equality. He has been a member of the El Concilio since the 1970s and is known for his passion and dedication to his work. Gavino strongly advocates for the community, believing everyone deserves a chance to achieve their dreams. He is a powerful voice for the Latino community and will continue fighting for justice and equality. Thank you, Gavino, for your passion and dedication to your work. Thank you, Gavino, for your leadership and example. Thank you, Gavino, for being a powerful voice for the Latino community. We are grateful for your service. Thank you!
Thank you, Gavino!
By Diane Revilla
