"Never forget your roots but have your eyes on the future and do as much and as best as you can, every day."
-Edith Mincberg
These are the words that first-generation American David Mincberg grew up with. His father and mother, both born in Poland, who came to America in 1949, instilled a work ethic and a character that has been demonstrated time and again throughout his life. Here, in their own words, is the Mincberg family story in a nutshell.
In David's words:
"Growing up, my family valued: faith, freedom, education, and charity. My father survived the Nazi Holocaust by jumping off the moving train headed for the death camp Treblinka and my mother survived slave labor, disease and starvation in the former Soviet Union, when she was imprisoned with her family and sent to Siberia. They met in a displaced person's camp in the US Zone of post World War II Germany and immediately knew they were meant for each other. The only thing they wished at that time was to get as far away from there and start a family as soon as they would find a place to settle. They arrived in the United States in 1949. I was born in 1950. They felt very lucky that finally the time had come, when they could expect some of their wishes to come true."
In Edith's words:
We passed our exams for US citizenship 5 years after our arrival and shortly afterward were sworn in. Citizenship meant so much to us. Not only were we proud to become Americans, but we felt a great sense of security.
David:
"My parents, like many new arrivals, wanted me to be an all-American kid. I played Little League and was a Cub Scout. They learned and perfected their English as fast as they could, and used it with me at home, although they spoke Polish to each other, in the beginning. I saw how hard my father worked as an electrician's helper, and later as a contractor, and wanted to be able to help as soon as possible. It was clear to me that working hard at school was what my parents wanted, and so I did my best, as much as I could every day."
Edith:
"The public schools were wonderful. One way to learn about our new environment was to participate in our childrens' activities. Over the years I was room mother, helped in the library, and went along on their field trips. Til today I remember some of the teachers who taught at Shearn Elementary, Pershing Jr. High, and Bellaire High School. As early as elementary school, one teacher often commented how mature David was for his age. How, when a new student joined the class, he would make him/her welcome, without anybody asking him. "
David:
"My parents were such hard workers. They arrived in Houston on July 5, 1949 and started their jobs few days later: my mother at Columbia Dry Goods as a saleslady and my father at Fisk Electric Co. as an electrician's helper. For additional income my father worked for a while as door-to-door salesman to be able to start a business of his own. Our kitchen table and car became the first place of business. Mom was the bookkeeper, typist, and handled all the calls. Dad was in the field."
Edith:
"We wanted to work. We were able bodied. Nothing seemed too hard, considering what we had experienced during the war. We became busy making a life as a family now."
David:
"Once my Dad got his own business going, he became very involved in helping others; with individuals who came on hard times or organizations who needed his expertise and resources. There are too many to mention, probably don't know half of them, my Dad was not a braggart, didn't do it for recognition. One Boys and Girls Club still stands on land Dad gave them, in south Houston. His example of hard work and charity inspire me today."
Edith:
"We wouldn't be here if someone didn't risk his life to save Joe back in Europe. And we wouldn't be here if there wasn't a Displaced Persons' Act passed under President Truman which allowed us to enter the US.
We have been granted another chance of a life which compels us to do something meaningful every day, to give back."
Why Edith Mincberg thinks her son David would make a good County Judge:
"David is a natural leader. He understands that no person lives in a vacuum. He attracts people to help him and to work with him."
"Whatever he has done up to now, he's done a good job. He understands what it means to have a good work ethic. He started with after-school jobs when he was fourteen."
"He understands the responsibility of owning his own business."
"David has not only practical knowledge but earned his law degree and passed the bar."
"He has what it takes to make an excellent public servant."
"David is not looking for this position as a source of income, this would be the worst, but as an opportunity to give back, to contribute to society."
"He has learned from the past, will keep his eyes on the future and will do as much and the best he can, every day."
"Even, if he weren't my son I would find him to be the most suitable candidate for County Judge."