John Courage's name embodies what San Antonio District 9 residents are looking for in their next councilman - the courage to insist that their mainstream values be represented at City Hall, the courage to stand with ordinary San Antonio families and small businesses against the corporate special interests, and the courage to rekindle that faith they once had in government to be a force for protecting their interests in the day to day operation of our city.

John came to San Antonio for basic training after enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1971. He was honorably discharged four years later and enrolled in the University of Texas at San Antonio, working his way through school with jobs in a local children's home and the Bexar County Mental Health Department. He earned a BA in American Studies at UTSA.

In 1980, John won election to the Alamo Community College District Board of Trustees in San Antonio in a hotly contested county-wide race. He quickly established a reputation as a fierce defender of access and accountability in our higher education system and helped create Palo Alto Community College to expand higher education opportunities to an area of town that lacked them.

John has served on the San Antonio Teachers' Council Board, been a delegate to the National Education Association's convention for many years, and testified before the Texas House of Representatives' Committee on Education and the State Board of Education. He was appointed to the San Antonio Literacy Commission and was involved in the establishment of literacy centers across San Antonio in the 1990s.

A married father of four, John and his wife are active members of their community. He has served as a Boy Scout troop leader and a sponsor of the Reconciliation Episcopal Church Youth Group, as well as a volunteer coach for community soccer and baseball leagues.

In John Courage, the voters of District 9 have the opportunity to elect a leader with deep roots in the community and a proven history of service. John is ready to get to work for the residents of District 9 to ensure they have a true voice within our government.