From the Texas Cotton Fields to the United States Tax Court

The inspirational biography of Juan F. Vasquez, the first Hispanic American appointed to the United States Tax Court. The book depicts his journey surmounting numerous challenges such as poverty, manual labor, and discrimination. It explores his pursuit of education to build -- with the support of family, friends, and mentors - -a professional career serving family, community, taxpayers, and the tax system.


Judge Vasquez’s story demonstrates that one can excel in the practice of tax law and serve the community and taxpayers while doing so, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, school pedigree, or geographic location. The overall message -- that hard work, perseverance, and persistence in the face of adversity can lead to unimaginable opportunities -- should resonate with all readers.