My friend, Joe Roach, passed away yesterday. Many of you may have heard the reports of his too soon departure on the news.
The focus of most of the news reports was that Joe was a dwarf and overcame all odds. This is true but Joe was so much more.
Once you knew Joe for about 20 minutes, you completely forgot that he was shorter than you. It might disarm you in the beginning but once his personality began to sparkle, it was quickly forgotten. For Joe’s heart and passion filled his very being and was so much more than most people can ever begin to possess.
I first met Joe in 1992 when he was considering a run for the Houston City Council. By this time, he had already graduated law school and stared down the many critics who told him that he could obtain a law degree but never practice. He had been a very well-known and successful Prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s office.
I met him because he had a passion for his hometown of Houston and he wanted to run for the Houston City Council. At the time, I was a political consultant known for unexpected victories. So what if my clients only won by a 300 votes or so, they still won.
When Joe first came to meet with us, we laid the cards on the table. On our checkpoint list for Council candidates, he passed or surpassed the ‘Ideal’ candidate test. Yet there was still the fact that he was about 4 feet tall.
We asked Joe if he was prepared to deal with the challenges he would face and if he understood that many people might not take him seriously.
Rarely have I known a candidate for political office with such a great sense of humor. We said we felt his heighth should be dealt with directly and he was fully supportive. “Not like I can hide how tall I am”…. he would say laughing.
We built a campaign around the theme of “Big Enough for Houston” and put his picture on everything. He defeated a 30 year incumbent and was elected.
During the campaign, Joe was meeting with an African-American leader to solicit his support. The distinguished gentleman was having a hard time taking Joe seriously. Joe stopped discussing issues and asked this community leader, “Do you think I can’t relate to you and your community?” The man responded that he was concerned. Joe stared him straight in the face and said that he understood discrimination and exclusion first hand. He said, “People like me have been in circuses and tossing contests! I think I know the pain of discrimination.” The leader agreed and offered Joe his support.
For all of his life, Joe has been dedicated to disarming first impressions – for himself and for others. His many appearances on television shows have been for the purpose of sharing that everyone should be treated equally, regardless. He believed that ALL people should be given the opportunity to perform to their highest level, regardless of challenges.
Joe was a fine human being and touched my life deeply. I pray for his beautiful and wonderful wife Becky, their three delightful children and for all of us who will miss him dearly.
Rest In Peace Joe Roach.
I met Joe in 2nd grade as his mom was my teacher at Ed White Elementary. She was amazing and I know where Joe got his personality.
Joe used to come in about once a month and see his mom, talk to the class and would make us all laugh. He was in High School at the time, but always took time for the kids in the class. He was never shy about his height and would talk about it. He also showed his mom great respect. I never forgot that.
I never spoke to him afterwards. But, I knew that Houston was blessed to have him on City Council. He served his city the way he treated his mom … with tremendous respect and dedication.
Joe was a good man, a great son and an unbelievable human. His mom will always be my favorite teacher.
God Bless Joe and his family.
I remember being in high school and watching him on city council and admiring him. He took his issues seriously – but didn’t take himself too seriously. Joe had a good sense of humor and was a very hard worker. He was clearly an influence in my life.