Councilman John Courage 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 until he earned a BA in American Studies.
In 1980, he won election to the Alamo Community College District Board of Trustees in San Antonio. 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 the city that lacked them.
He served on the San Antonio Teachers' Council Board as 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.
In 2017 he was elected as Councilman for San Antonio City Council District 9, serving the City’s Northside where he has won re-election 3 times and is serving in his fourth and final term. He has introduced several innovations focused on constituent services including resident tours of city departments and partnership organizations and agencies. Created the largest participatory budgeting process in Texas known as the “People’s Budget” to identify and fund district projects. Helped to change state law to allow Safe Haven Baby Boxes at fire stations throughout the City and funded their installation to provide mothers in crisis an anonymous option to safely surrender an infant. He successfully created the City’s first voluntarily weapons exchange which secured over 900 unwanted guns and established the first “Military City USA Exposition” to bring together resources for active-duty military and veterans and their families.
He has worked tirelessly to improve public safety, enhance infrastructure, and support local businesses. Championing initiatives to increase transparency and community engagement in local government, advocating for affordable housing, and promoting sustainable development practices. His efforts have also included supporting educational programs and resources for the youth and working to ensure that all community members have access to essential services and opportunities.
As a married father of four, he 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 his spare time, he is an avid Spurs fan and enjoys playing basketball to stay active.
Council Committee Assignments
Appointments
- Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Investment Committee
- Military Transformation Task Force