Mata, José O., 1947-

José O. Mata was born in 1947 in Crystal City, Texas. He dropped out of school to work at the Del Monte Corporation cannery to support his family, later earning his GED. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1969. He served as a member and president of the board of directors of the Ciudadanos Unidos, the foundation of the Raza Unida Party. He was elected to the board of directors of the Crystal City Independent School District in 1972, and to the Crystal City city council in 1982, serving as mayor in 1985. He was the first Mexican American appointed as the Zavala County Road Administrator, was the executive director for the Housing Authority of the City of Crystal City, and worked with the Community Action Agency and Council of Governments.

From the description of Oral history interview with José O. Mata, 1998 [videorecording]. (University of Texas at Arlington). WorldCat record id: 318602197