Early Years
Born February 19, 1950 in Kilgore, Texas, the son of Seymour and Francene Van Os, David Van Os excelled in school. He was a National Honor Society and National Merit Finalist, Kilgore High School. Attended University of Texas at Austin on scholastic General Motors Scholarship, 1968-1972; Graduated UT With Honors, May 1972. Selected University of Texas Junior Fellow, 1970 and Entered University of Texas Law School with academic scholarship, 1973; Graduated from the University of Texas Law School with J.D. Degree, 1976. Van Os was honored with Human Rights Research Council Distinguished Research and Writing Award, UT Law School, 1974. Recipient of the 2005 Spine Award by the Backbone Campaign. He served on Board of Directors and as Assistant Treasurer, Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation, by appointment of the Texas Supreme Court, 1985-1995. In 1990 he was honored with President’s Citation for Achievement in Civil Rights by the NAACP. The Texas Women’s Political Caucus named him "GOOD GUY OF THE YEAR" in 2002.
He married Rachel Barrios-Van Os, a native of San Antonio. They have one son, B.J. and three daughters, Kay Cee, Maya and Leya.
A political activist, Van Os attended his first Democratic State Convention in 1972 and attended every one through 2006. He served as President, Northeast Austin Democrats, 1978-1980, Democratic Precinct Chairman #132, Travis County, 1981-1988, County Democratic Chairman, Travis County, 1996-1998, Chairman, North East Bexar County Democrats, 2000-2003, Life Member, NAACP Member and Legal Panelist, American Civil Liberties Union, and Member of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.
Read more about this topic: David Van Os
Famous quotes containing the words early years, early and/or years:
“I believe that if we are to survive as a planet, we must teach this next generation to handle their own conflicts assertively and nonviolently. If in their early years our children learn to listen to all sides of the story, use their heads and then their mouths, and come up with a plan and share, then, when they become our leaders, and some of them will, they will have the tools to handle global problems and conflict.”
—Barbara Coloroso (20th century)
“I looked at my daughters, and my boyhood picture, and appreciated the gift of parenthood, at that moment, more than any other gift I have ever been given. For what person, except one’s own children, would want so deeply and sincerely to have shared your childhood? Who else would think your insignificant and petty life so precious in the living, so rich in its expressiveness, that it would be worth partaking of what you were, to understand what you are?”
—Gerald Early (20th century)
“Under bare Ben Bulben’s head
In Drumcliff churchyard Yeats is laid.
An ancestor was rector there
Long years ago, a church stands near,
By the road an ancient cross.
No marble, no conventional phrase;
On limestone quarried near the spot
By his command these words are cut:
Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman pass by!”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)