Scope and Contents Interviewer: Alicia NicholsProject: University of HoustonUniversity of Houston, Main Campus physics and electrical and computer engineering professor Dr. Edgar A. Bering, III, who also serves as the chairman of the Mars Rover Celebration, and the principle investigator for the Mars Rover grant at the University of Houston, discusses the Mars Rover Model Celebration. Also present was Ms. Laura Jacobs, a Ph.D. candidate in educational psychology at the University of...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Paul JanProject: University Of HoustonFollowing the destruction of Hurricane Alicia, Trees for Houston was born and focused on planting street trees in modest amounts around the Houston area. Barry Ward, a self-proclaimed naturalist, began his work with Trees for Houston in early 2008 and since then has dramatically increased the number of planted trees to an average of 30,000 a year. In addition to planting trees, Barry discusses the numerous services...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Debbie HarwellProject: University Of HoustonHouston Pilot Holly Cooper discusses how she came to be a pilot, following her father’s suggestion to turn her love for the water into a career. After attending Texas A&M in Galveston, she began sailing on foreign-flagged ships working her way up from third mate, second mate, chief mate, to captain with an unlimited master’s ticket. Often the only woman on board a ship, she discusses the challenges that...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Amado “Izzy” YznagaProject: University Of HoustonCivil War historian Edward Cotham discusses the personal and military history of Confederate hero, Dick Dowling. A Houston businessman and entrepreneur, Dowling owned several saloons in Houston , most notably the Bank of Bacchus, speculated in oil and gas leases in Harris and Jefferson Counties before the discovery of oil at Spindletop, and was recognized for his charitable efforts in the community. He is...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Alex ColvinProject: University Of HoustonSusan Clayton Garwood, the great-granddaughter of Houston cotton magnate, William Lockhart Clayton, (1880-1966) begins by discussing her childhood memories of Will Clayton and the numerous dinners at Clayton House, 5300 Caroline, in Houston. She also discusses her father, former Texas Supreme Court justice, Wilmer St. John Garwood, Jr. and her visits to Austin with her grandfather, Wilmer St. John Garwood, Sr.,...

Scope and Contents

Interviewer(s): Aimee L'Heureux

Project: University of Houston

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Aimee BachariProject: University of HoustonWagih Abu-Rish was born in Al-Eizariyah, or Bethany, Palestine in 1942. He left with his siblings in 1947 as the Arab-Israeli War intensified, first staying with family in Egypt and later joining his father in Lebanon where he finished high school. Abu-Rish came to the United States in 1961 to attend the University of Houston on a scholarship through an oil company. He graduated in 1966. During his time at the...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Khalil AbusharekhProject: University of HoustonBorn in a refugee camp, Khalil Abusharekh spent over twenty years living in Gaza City. In this interview he begins by describing day to day life in Palestine, from punishments by Israeli soldiers to frequent curfews bestowed upon neighborhoods. After completing a degree in graphic design Khalil made a decision to seek work outside Gaza and found himself in the United Arab Emirates. In his travels, Khalil...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Thu Huong VuProject: University of HoustonDr. Richard Andrews spoke about his background and experience with public health and how he became involved with the HOPE Clinic. He recounted his early days working at the HOPE Clinic, describing the clinic’s status at the time and the problems that he personally encountered at the clinic as a physician. Dr. Andrews also briefly discussed his current work and the clinic’s current needs and future plan. Dr....

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Thu Huong VuProject: University Of HoustonRogene Gee Calvert speaks about her interest in the welfare of the Asian American community in Houston and how she came to cofound the Asian American Health Coalition and later the HOPE Clinic. She recounts the early days of the HOPE Clinic, the problems that they encountered in establishing and running the clinic, and the clinic’s growth and achievements. Dr. Andrea Caracostis discusses her involvement with the...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Lindsey MartinProject: University HoustonWalter Hansen is in charge of the restoration of the Danish Fishing Boat at Holocaust Museum Houston. Although not affiliated with the Holocaust Museum, he is a passionate volunteer who wants to tell the story of some of Denmark‟s heroes. Walter learned the craft of building wooden boats from his father-in-law. He had never heard of the museum‟s fishing boat until a few years before this interview when someone...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Victor RomeroProject: University Of HoustonIra Perry, director of marketing and public auctions for the Holocaust Museum Houston discusses many aspects of the museum, beginning with Holocaust survivor Siegi Izakson‟s idea to create the facility. Built entirely with private funding, the museum was designed by architect Ralph Applebaum incorporated elements into the design to symbolize the tightening control over the lives of European Jews throughout the...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Emily ChambersProject: University Of HoustonThe Felix Fraga Sr. came to Houston over a century ago. His six sons, known as the “Fraga Six,” have gone from poor, humble beginnings to serve their nation and their city in the military, in elected office, on the bench, and in business. Although Angel Z. Fraga served as a municipal court judge and county criminal court judge, this interview focuses on the Fraga family. It details their experiences growing in...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Emily ChambersProject: University Of HoustonThis interview with Felix Fraga starts with the story of Felix Fraga Sr. coming from Mexico to the United States through Eagle Pass, Texas, to start a new life in the Second Ward of Houston. From there come the amazing stories of each of the six Fraga sons, the “Fraga Six,” who worked hard to use the opportunities their parents had given them to reach move up in the social strata. At one point Felix explains...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Samantha RodriguezProject: University Of HoustonMaria Jimenez came to Houston from Mexico with her family in 1957.She recalls growing up in the Houston school system where she was not allowed to speak Spanish and faced repeated instances of discrimination by her classmates. Rather than bow down, she became actively involved in speech and debate at Milby High School where she won awards for debate and her oratory on the discrimination faced by Mexican...