WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz (D-Texas) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey) have introduced legislation in the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively, honoring the leadership and historic contributions of Dr. Hector P. Garcia to the United States and the Hispanic community and his remarkable efforts to combat racial and ethnic discrimination in this country.
“Dr. Hector Garcia was a pillar in our nation, and it is appropriate we pay our respect to this man who was a fierce advocate of civil rights in this country,” Ortiz said. “I thank Senator Menendez for joining me in this effort as we pay tribute to Dr. Hector Garcia in Congress.”
The bill was filled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (Dec. 16) and filled in the Senate on Wednesday.
“Today we honor the life of one of our nation’s most distinguished civil rights advocates in the Hispanic community,” Menendez said. “A leader of national and international prominence, his pioneering work opened paths and set precedents that to this day are evoked and serve as an inspiration for those that carry on his legacy.”
Co-sponsors of the bill are U.S. Rep. Joe Baca (D-California), U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-California), U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano (D-New York), and U.S. Rep. Gregorio Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands).
“As the only Hispanic Member of the United States Senate I am committed to civil rights—the guiding force in Dr. Hector Garcia’s life—and it is truly a privilege to join my colleague Congressman Ortiz in honoring the life of this exceptional man,” Menendez said. The bill has been referred to the committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives and Senate.
“The life and work of Dr. Hector Garcia will long be remembered and never forgotten, that is why I am so diligent in getting this important and significant legislation passed in the House and Senate,” Ortiz said.
In 1948, Dr. Garcia founded the American G.I. Forum, a Mexican-American veterans group to redress the injustices done to returning World War II veterans. Through this organization he made his most significant impact with advancements in opportunities for health care, education, veterans’ benefits and civil rights equality.
On May 30, 2009, the Governor of Texas established the third Wednesday of each September as “Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day” in Texas.
About Dr. Hector Garcia: born on Jan. 17, 1914, in Mercedes, Texas. He was a Mexican-American physician, surgeon, World War II veteran, civil rights advocate, and founder of the American G.I. Forum. Dr. Garcia was named alternate ambassador to the United Nations in 1967, was appointed to the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 1968. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest honor, in 1984, and was named to the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II in 1990. He died on July 26, 1996.