[3] González was born in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Mexican-born parents Genoveva (née Barbosa) and Leonides Gonzalez (from Mapimí, Durango), who had immigrated during the Mexican Revolution.

[4] After he received an associate's degree from San Antonio College, he earned his undergraduate credentials from the University of Texas at Austin.

He finished in sixth place in part because he split the liberal and Hispanic vote with Maury Maverick, Jr., of San Antonio.

[citation needed] In September 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Rep. Paul J. Kilday of Texas's 20th congressional district to the Court of Military Appeals.

[10] Mexican film star Cantinflas appeared with Vice President Johnson at shopping centers and supermarkets in San Antonio to support González, who would never face another contest nearly that close.

In fact, the 20th district was (and remains) so heavily Democratic that González faced Republican opposition only five times and handily prevailed whenever challenged.

[18] He recalled rolling down the window as his car neared the Texas School Book Depository, then hearing three distinct shots during the assassination.

[18] González's car proceeded to Parkland Memorial Hospital where, upon seeing a blood-soaked bouquet of roses in the rear of the presidential limousine, he initially believed Jackie Kennedy had been shot.

[18] In 1976, the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) was created to investigate the deaths of President Kennedy and King, and González succeeded Thomas N. Downing as its chairman in January 1977.

[5][20][21][22] González later called for the impeachment of President George H. W. Bush for not obtaining Congressional approval before the 1991 Gulf War.