Saenz, Graciela

The collection covers primarily the three terms-six years-that Graciela Saenz served as Houston City Council Member At Large Place 1, 1992-1998, and an unsuccessful campaign for Mayor in 1997. Saenz was the first Hispanic and woman to be elected to the position of Mayor Pro-Tem, 1992-1997. Council Member Saenz took office at the same time as Mayor Bob Lanier who, like Saenz, served three terms and left office because of term limitations. Lanier won election on a platform of increased police protection for Houston citizens who were significantly concerned about public safety. The economy of the city was also a concern, still recovering from the oil bust of 1982-1984. A major portion of the collection’s council records are concerned with the Joint City/County Commission on Youth, 1993-1997, which was concerned with crimes committed by youths, among other issues.

Graciela Saenz, nee Guzman, is a native-born Houstonian, who received both her BA in Spanish and JD degrees from the University of Houston in 1978 and 1986, respectively. Married to now retired Houston police sergeant Eloy Saenz since 1978, she worked to finance his education. When his education was completed, he helped with financing her education. After law school, Saenz was employed by the Harris County District Attorney’s office from 1986-1990. Later she moved on to the firm of Burkhardt and Saenz, 1990-1992, joining Broocks, Baker and Lange, L.L.P. in 1992, and leaving in 2000 for Oppel, Goldberg & Saenz. Her legal practice has emphasized administrative law, and commercial and international business transactions. Her interest in international business was evident during her tenure on Council as she was president of Houston International Initiatives, a City of Houston organization, which encouraged international trade.

As Council Member from 1992 through 1998, she chaired three committees: Council Rules, Ethics, and Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises while serving on nine other committees. She also served on the Joint City/County Commission for Children and Youth, 1993-1997. Saenz was the first Hispanic and woman to be elected to the position of Mayor Pro-Tem, 1996-1997. Her private activities included service on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, support of Houston Grand Opera, the Boy Scouts of America and the United Way. She has three children and a grandchild. For additional information, see the attached biographies.