Lino Perez, Jr. papers

Collection

Identifier: catx-00064

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection represents the files Perez accumulated while working as District Deputy, State Treasurer, State Secretary, and State Deputy. The State Deputy files arrived at the archives clearly labeled and distinctly organized. Those records have been left in the original order with their original titles. The files of the other three offices were not as neatly organized, and the processor found it necessary to arrange those papers in a manner that would prove more useful to the researcher.

Dates

Creation: 1959 - 1973

Creator

Perez, Lino, Jr., 1914-2008 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Knights of Columbus ceremonial items are restricted to non-members.

Biographical Note

Lino Perez, Jr. was born September 19, 1914, in Rio Grande City, Texas. He attended both Rio Grande City High School and Brownsville High School, but graduated from Austin High School in Austin, Texas. Perez was his class valedictorian.

Perez worked for the U.S. Postal Service for over three decades, began as a messenger boy and eventually served as Postmaster of Rio Grande City. In 2007, a post office in Rio Grande City was renamed after Perez. He married his wife, Dora, on March 2, 1937, and had four children: daughter Rebecca and sons Lino, Ricardo, and Carlos.

In addition to his membership in the Texas Knights of Columbus, Perez was also a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Postmasters, his local Chamber of Commerce, and the Diocesan Advisory Committee.

Lino Perez, Jr. joined the Texas Knights of Columbus in 1935 and served in a variety of leadership positions. Among the offices held in his local chapter and district were Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator of his Fourth Degree Assembly. Because of his interest in Mexico and his command of the Spanish language, Perez was able to help organize the first international meeting of councils on the Texas-Mexico border. He also served simultaneously as the District Deputy for both Texas and Mexican districts. Among his elected offices include State Warden (1948-1950), Committeeman (1952-1953, 1957, 1967, 1974-1977), District Deputy (1954-1956, 1960-1966), State Treasurer (1967-1969), State Secretary (1970), State Deputy (the highest-ranking office in the Texas State Council, Knights of Columbus; 1971-1973), and Past State Deputy.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (4 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Spanish; Castilian

Additional Description

Abstract

The collected papers of Lino Perez, Jr., who served the Texas State Council of the Knights of Columbus, in various offices for more than 25 years.

Arrangement

The District Deputy (1959-1965) files contain documents pertaining to Perez's duties both as the deputy of Texas District #2 and as deputy of Mexico Districts #24 and #25. Correspondence is general in nature, and the correspondence in the Mexico file is primarily in Spanish. Also of interest in the District Deputy files are the certificates naming Perez to his office. The State Treasurer (1966-1968) files contain correspondence dealing with the issues inherent to his position as treasurer as well as documents concerning various meetings and conventions. Also included are reports of other state officers and proposed resolutions from state meetings.

The State Secretary (1968-1971) files also contain routine correspondence. Other items worthy of note are meeting minutes, reports, and a survey from 1970 that reports on the image of the Knights of Columbus.

The previous three files take up one and a half boxes, while the State Deputy Files (1970- 1973) fill up the remaining two and a half boxes. These files reflect the original folder titles and order. There is a significant volume of general and personal correspondence, with the remainder of the documents placed in subject files. Included in these subject files are documents pertaining to various projects and programs sponsored by the Knights such as the Christopher Columbus Charity Fund, the Deaf Project, and the Schools of Columbianism. The subject files also contain documents relating to persons whom Perez corresponded with, such as other state officers, program directors, and district deputies. The subject files not only contain correspondence relating to the named subject, but often other documents as well. These other documents include reports, meeting minutes, agendas, programs, articles, and newsletters.