Silvestre Reyes | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 16th district | |
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Ron Coleman |
Succeeded by | Beto O'Rourke |
Chair of the House Intelligence Committee | |
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Pete Hoekstra |
Succeeded by | Mike Rogers |
Personal details | |
Born | November 10, 1944 Canutillo, Texas, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Carolina Reyes |
Education | El Paso Community College University of Texas, Austin |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1966–1968[1] |
Rank | Sergeant |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Air Medal |
Silvestre "Silver" Reyes[2] (born November 10, 1944) is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for Texas's 16th congressional district, serving from 1997 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he was Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence between 2007 and 2011. In the Democratic Primary election on May 29, 2012, Reyes lost by a margin wide enough to avert a runoff election[3] to former El Paso city councilman Beto O'Rourke.
In 2008 Reyes served as the Southwest Co-Chairman for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign along with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Then U.S. Senator Clinton praised Reyes saying he was "one of our wisest and most experienced leaders on national security and the particular issues that affect Americans living along the border and throughout the Southwest. I am proud to have his support and grateful for his advice."[4]