Lou Zaeske
Encyclopedia
Louis W. "Lou" Zaeske, Jr. (December 17, 1941 - August 30, 2011), was a mechanical engineer and a political activist in Bryan
, Texas
. In 1988, he founded the interest group, the American Ethnic Coalition, which lobbied for English
as the official language of the United States.
, then Randolph Field, in San Antonio
, the son of Louis Zaeske, Sr. (1906-1991) and Agnes V. Zaeske (nèe Prihoda; 1910-1999). Louis and Agnes Zaeske are interred at New Bremen Cemetery near Coy City in Karnes County
, Texas.
The senior Zaeske made his career in the United States Air Force
, and the family lived in various parts of the United States. Zaeske graduated in 1964 from Texas A&M University
in College Station
Station with a Bachelor of Science
degree in mechanical engineering
. He was a member of the TAMU Corps of Cadets and a squadron commanding officer. He subsequently studied at the graduate level at Purdue University
in West Lafayette
, Indiana
. For more than thirty-five years, he operated Zaeske Engineering Company in Bryan.
and Czech descent, Zaeske was heavily involved in the promotion of Czech heritage groups. He frequently made public presentations on the migration of the Czech peoples from Eastern Europe. For many years, Zaeske was the president of the Brazos Valley Czech Heritage Society in Bryan. Zaeske was a member of the Czech Educational Foundation of Texas, which has established chairs for Czech studies at TAMU, the University of Texas at Austin
and the University of North Texas
at Denton
.
He was also affiliated with the Burleson County's Czech Heritage Museum, and the Kolache Festival in Caldwell
, as well as the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange
. Zaeske helped found the Texas Polka Music Museum in Schulenburg
.
for the Texas State Senate because the Democratic
incumbent in Senate District 5, Kent Caperton
, refused to support Official English. Caperton, however, did not seek reelection in 1990, and the Democrat James W. "Jim" Turner
, subsequently elected in 1996 as a U.S. representative, defeated Zaske for the seat.
The American Ethnic Coalition claimed that twenty-three members of the Texas State Legislature and four U.S. representatives from Texas, all of whom were elected with coalition backing and took office in 1989, were committed to Officlal English. Zaeske's organization called for abolition of the printing of literature in Spanish by the Texas Workforce Commission
and allowing public school districts to reject bilingual education
programs. Zaeske urged that Texas Comptroller
Bob Bullock
be required to report to the legislature on taxpayer costs of bilingual programs and that Attorney General Jim Mattox
rule on the constitutionality of such measures. Zaeske's coalition proposed that foreign instructors in Texas public colleges. many of whom teach basic courses at universities, be required to pass an English proficiency test. Zaeske also spoke against a Texas law that permits lower tuition for students from Mexico who attend Texas public colleges: "We really can't understand why the citizens of this state should be required to underwrite foreigners going to school here when many of the children of citizens of this state are unable to go to college here because of not being able to pay the tuition
."
In 1992, Zaeske supported Patrick J. Buchanan's unsuccessful insurgent challenge to the renomination of U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush.In 1993, Zaeske ran as an Independent in a special election for the United States Senate
seat vacated by incoming United States Secretary of the Treasury
Lloyd M. Bentsen. He polled barely 2,000 votes, which was handily won in a runoff by the Republican state treasurer Kay Bailey Hutchison
.
In 2008, Zaeske and his wife, Jo Ann (née Macha), supported former Governor Mike Huckabee
of Arkansas
for the Republican presidential nomination, ultimately won by U.S. Senator John S. McCain of Arizona. Jo Ann Zaeske told an interviewer that their support for Huckabee was based on the candidate's embrace of "family values." Lou Zaeske said that could not support McCain in part because of McCain's divorce. He even indicated that he would vote for Barack H. Obama in a contest against McCain because he thought that Obama could work across party lines, an argument also used by the McCain supporters.
Bryan, Texas
Bryan is a city in Brazos County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 76,201. It is the county seat of Brazos County and is located in the heart of the Brazos Valley . It shares its border with the city of College Station, which lies to its south...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. In 1988, he founded the interest group, the American Ethnic Coalition, which lobbied for English
English-only movement
English-only movement, also known as Official English movement, refers to a political movement for the use only of the English language in official government operations through the establishing of English as the only official language in the United States...
as the official language of the United States.
Early years
Zaeske was born at Randolph Air Force BaseRandolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located east-northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
, then Randolph Field, in San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, the son of Louis Zaeske, Sr. (1906-1991) and Agnes V. Zaeske (nèe Prihoda; 1910-1999). Louis and Agnes Zaeske are interred at New Bremen Cemetery near Coy City in Karnes County
Karnes County, Texas
Karnes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 15,446. Its county seat is Karnes City. Karnes County is named for Henry Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.-Geography:...
, Texas.
The senior Zaeske made his career in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, and the family lived in various parts of the United States. Zaeske graduated in 1964 from Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
in College Station
College Station, Texas
College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in East Central Texas in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The city is located within the most populated region of Texas, near three of the 10 largest cities in the United States - Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio...
Station with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
. He was a member of the TAMU Corps of Cadets and a squadron commanding officer. He subsequently studied at the graduate level at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in West Lafayette
West Lafayette, Indiana
As of the census of 2010, there were 29,596 people, 12,591 households, and 3,588 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,381.1 people per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 74.3% White, 17.3% Asian, 2.7% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.03% Pacific...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. For more than thirty-five years, he operated Zaeske Engineering Company in Bryan.
Czech heritage
Himself of GermanGermans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and Czech descent, Zaeske was heavily involved in the promotion of Czech heritage groups. He frequently made public presentations on the migration of the Czech peoples from Eastern Europe. For many years, Zaeske was the president of the Brazos Valley Czech Heritage Society in Bryan. Zaeske was a member of the Czech Educational Foundation of Texas, which has established chairs for Czech studies at TAMU, the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
and the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
at Denton
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
.
He was also affiliated with the Burleson County's Czech Heritage Museum, and the Kolache Festival in Caldwell
Caldwell, Texas
Caldwell is a city in Burleson County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,449 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Burleson County. It is part of the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area....
, as well as the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange
La Grange, Texas
La Grange is a city in Fayette County, Texas, near the Colorado River. The population was 4,478 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimated population was 4,645. But a 2010 census estimated that the city had a population of 4,923...
. Zaeske helped found the Texas Polka Music Museum in Schulenburg
Schulenburg, Texas
Schulenburg is a city in Fayette County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,699 at the 2000 census.Known for its German culture, Schulenburg is home of the Texas Polka Music Museum.-Geography:Schulenburg is located at ....
.
Political activities
In 1990, Zaeske ran unsuccessfully as a RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
for the Texas State Senate because the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
incumbent in Senate District 5, Kent Caperton
Kent Caperton
Kent Allen Caperton is an attorney and political consultant in Austin, Texas, who served from 1981 to 1991 as a Democratic member of the Texas State Senate from District 5, encompassing twenty-one counties from The Woodlands, to Crockett, and Caperton's then city of residence, Bryan, Texas.-Early...
, refused to support Official English. Caperton, however, did not seek reelection in 1990, and the Democrat James W. "Jim" Turner
Jim Turner (politician)
James "Jim" Turner , American politician, was the Democratic representative for the Texas 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 until 2005.-Early life, education, and early career:...
, subsequently elected in 1996 as a U.S. representative, defeated Zaske for the seat.
The American Ethnic Coalition claimed that twenty-three members of the Texas State Legislature and four U.S. representatives from Texas, all of whom were elected with coalition backing and took office in 1989, were committed to Officlal English. Zaeske's organization called for abolition of the printing of literature in Spanish by the Texas Workforce Commission
Texas Workforce Commission
The Texas Workforce Commission is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Texas that provides unemployment benefits and services related to employment to eligible individuals and businesses....
and allowing public school districts to reject bilingual education
Bilingual education
Bilingual education involves teaching academic content in two languages, in a native and secondary language with varying amounts of each language used in accordance with the program model.-Bilingual education program models:...
programs. Zaeske urged that Texas Comptroller
Comptroller
A comptroller is a management level position responsible for supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting of an organization.In British government, the Comptroller General or Comptroller and Auditor General is in most countries the external auditor of the budget execution of the...
Bob Bullock
Bob Bullock
Robert Douglas Bullock, known as Bob Bullock , was a Democratic politician from Texas, whose career spanned four decades. His service culminated in his term as Lieutenant Governor of Texas from January 15, 1991–January 19, 1999 during the terms of Governors Ann Richards and George W...
be required to report to the legislature on taxpayer costs of bilingual programs and that Attorney General Jim Mattox
Jim Mattox
James Albon Mattox was a Dallas lawyer and Texas Democratic politician who served three terms in the United States House of Representatives and two four-year terms as state Attorney General, but lost high profile races for Governor in 1990, the U.S. Senate in 1994, and again as attorney general...
rule on the constitutionality of such measures. Zaeske's coalition proposed that foreign instructors in Texas public colleges. many of whom teach basic courses at universities, be required to pass an English proficiency test. Zaeske also spoke against a Texas law that permits lower tuition for students from Mexico who attend Texas public colleges: "We really can't understand why the citizens of this state should be required to underwrite foreigners going to school here when many of the children of citizens of this state are unable to go to college here because of not being able to pay the tuition
Tuition
Tuition payments, known primarily as tuition in American English and as tuition fees in British English, Canadian English, Australian English, New Zealand English and Indian English, refers to a fee charged for educational instruction during higher education.Tuition payments are charged by...
."
In 1992, Zaeske supported Patrick J. Buchanan's unsuccessful insurgent challenge to the renomination of U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush.In 1993, Zaeske ran as an Independent in a special election for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seat vacated by incoming United States Secretary of the Treasury
United States Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of the Treasury of the United States is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, which is concerned with financial and monetary matters, and, until 2003, also with some issues of national security and defense. This position in the Federal Government of the United...
Lloyd M. Bentsen. He polled barely 2,000 votes, which was handily won in a runoff by the Republican state treasurer Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
.
In 2008, Zaeske and his wife, Jo Ann (née Macha), supported former Governor Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee
Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
for the Republican presidential nomination, ultimately won by U.S. Senator John S. McCain of Arizona. Jo Ann Zaeske told an interviewer that their support for Huckabee was based on the candidate's embrace of "family values." Lou Zaeske said that could not support McCain in part because of McCain's divorce. He even indicated that he would vote for Barack H. Obama in a contest against McCain because he thought that Obama could work across party lines, an argument also used by the McCain supporters.