Esteban Edward Torres


Esteban Edward Torres is a U.S. politician who served as member of the United States House of Representatives for California's 34th congressional district from 1983-1999.

Personal

Torres was born in Miami, Arizona, to parents from Mexico. He was raised mostly by his mother, Rena Gómez. His father was a miner, but was deported to Mexico.

Career

Torres served in the United States Army from 1949 to 1953. Active in the labor movement, he was appointed United States Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris, France, from 1977 to 1979 and served as a special assistant to President Jimmy Carter from 1979 to 1981.
Torres was unsuccessful in his attempt to win a seat in the House of Representatives in 1974, but was elected in 1982 as a Democrat. He served from 1983 until 1999. He did not run for reelection in 1998 and was succeeded by Democrat Grace Napolitano. He served as a member of the California Transportation Commission from 1997 to 2007.

Legacy and Awards