- On October 17, 1905, Raoul A. Cortez was born in Jalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, to Mr. and Mrs. Juan Manuel Cortez. He was one of the nine kids.
- At a young age, he travelled to the United States in search of his wealth.
- He was employed by the Pearl Brewing Company as a sales agent in addition to being a reporter for La Prensa.
- He owned and ran a theatrical agency in the 1930s and 1940s, which brought some of the best performers from Mexico and Latin America to the US.
- He started creating Spanish variety shows and purchasing space on KMAC Radio in 1940.
- In 1944, he submitted an application for his own licence to establish the nation’s first Spanish-language radio station that would run continuously.
- 1946 saw the launch of KCOR-AM. With the same call letters that somewhat correspond to his last name, it was an enormous hit and is still in operation today.
- In addition, Cortez founded the “Sombrero” radio network. This was a nationwide network of radio stations that came together to enhance and market radio programming.
- He launched the nation’s first UHF channel and the nation’s first Spanish-language television station on a full-time basis in 1955.
- In order to acquire the station, Cortez addressed Don Emilio Azcarraga Vidaureta, President and General Manager of Telesistema Mexicano, S.A. in 1960.
- Cortez was National President of the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, for two terms in a row. Using his position, he went to meet with Mexican President Miguel Aleman and then with Harry S.
- Truman to address the situation of undocumented Mexican immigrants in the United States. Improvements between the two administrations and their agreements governing the “Bracero” programme were attributed to him.
- In addition, he served as president of the San Antonio-based Mexican Chamber of Commerce, which is currently the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
- He served as the Charro Association’s president.
- At the age of 66, Cortez died away on December 17, 1971. His wife, Genoveva Cortez, son, Raoul Jr., and daughters, Rosamaria Toscano and Irma Nicolas, had gathered around him.
- San Antonio named a library in Mr. Cortez’s honour on April 8, 1981, in observance of his accomplishments and civic efforts. Located at 2803 Hunter Boulevard is the Raoul A. Cortez Library. Attendees included Mayor Lila Cockrell, members of the City Council, Mrs. Irma Nicolas, Mrs. Genoveva Cortez, and other dignitaries and family members.
RAOUL A. CORTEZ
By adminNY
RAOUL A. CORTEZ
