Press Release

For Immediate Release, August 18, 2004
Contact: Lorraine Quiroga, 202-833-6130

San Antonio, Texas – Frank M. Valdez, who spearheaded the League of United Latin American Citizen’s (LULAC) venture into building low income housing for Latinos in cities around the United States, and successfully expanded LULAC into states outside the traditional southwest, died in his home in San Antonio, Texas on Monday July 26. Mr. Valdez died after a 14 year bout with cancer. 

Mr. Valdez is perhaps best remembered for his work on LULAC’s 1960s housing developments. He was particularly instrumental in helping to raise money and design the first LULAC housing project in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Valdez and LULAC saw housing ownership as a way to improve Hispanics’ lives. They saw affordable housing as a way for Hispanics to build personal wealth and establish roots in the community. Subsequent housing projects were soon undertaken due to the success of the original program in Sinton, Corpus Cristi and San Antonio, Texas. 

Born in 1927 in San Antonio, Texas to the parents of Mr. Rodrigo and Ana Valdez, Mr. Valdez never left home for long. He graduated from Tech High School in San Antonio and the University of Texas, Austin where he received a bachelors degree in architecture in 1951. The following year he became a registered architect and four years hence the founder of Valdez and Associates, his own firm. He periodically returned to his alma mater as a visiting professor, but always returned home to San Antonio. 

In San Antonio, Mr. Valdez enjoyed a successful career as an architect. He led hundreds of building projects within and out of the United States. Over his long career, Mr. Valdez can credit to his resume, the United States government, Texas state government and religious organizations among his many clients. The architectural touch of Mr. Valdez can be seen in the University of Texas, San Antonio dorms. They are simplistic and functional with cement exteriors and sunken windows. They are typical of Mr. Valdez’s style and served him well over his fifty year career. 

Apart from his work, Mr. Valdez has participated in numerous boards, commissions and committees in San Antonio and throughout the state of Texas. He believed strongly in civic participation, and worked hard to improve his community. 

He is survived by his wife Magdalena, three sons, Frank, Lance, and Damian Omar and daughter, Janina.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States.  LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

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