[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1181-E1182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. HECTOR GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 26, 1996

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, Texas A&M University at Corpus 
Christi will dedicate the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Plaza in honor of my 
hero and one of the most important American leaders of our time. I want 
my colleagues to know more about this living legend, Dr. Hector Garcia.
  Dr. Garcia is a different breed of patriot and citizen. Long before 
the issue of civil rights was on the national radar screen, he 
recognized the need for equal rights for the citizens of south Texas 
and the United States. Rather than make the larger elements of society 
uncomfortable with a direct public assault on the status quo, Dr. 
Garcia began making quiet inroads into the system.
  Dr. Garcia encouraged all of us to become involved. In the 1950's he 
articulated clearly the necessity for Hispanics to show an interest in 
the workings of our city, our community, and our country. He 
underscored the basic fundamentals of democracy by preaching his 
message about the strength of numbers, the necessity of registering to 
vote, and the power of voting.
  Today, Dr. Garcia's message is the political gospel to which we all 
adhere. While others fought the system, often unsuccessfully, he worked 
within the system to open it up for everyone to participate. He has 
amazed us all with his wisdom, foresight, and longevity.
  While the Nation began to understand civil rights in the 1960's, they 
never quite recognized the fact that Dr. Garcia founded the

[[Page E1182]]

cause so successfully in 1948. He fought for basic, fundamental civil, 
human, and individual rights. He has been a successful warrior for his 
cause--democracy, decency, justice, and fairness. The seeds he planted 
all those years ago have grown into ideas whose roots are firmly 
planted in south Texas. Those seeds have produced today's leaders, and 
laid the foundation for tomorrow's leaders.
  I join veterans, the national Hispanic community, and all Americans 
who cherish justice in thanking Dr. Garcia for his very special 
service--both during conflict with the enemy, and within the 
bureaucracy. The American GI Forum, founded by Dr. Garcia, was 
originally intended to guide WWI and WWII veterans through the maze of 
bureaucracy to obtain their educational and medical benefits. 
Gradually, it grew into the highly acclaimed Hispanic civil rights 
organization it is today.
  The seeds of Dr. Garcia's inspiration and leadership have sprouted, 
and they will continue to grow and succeed--just as he planned four 
decades ago. Dr. Garcia is a tremendously gracious man, and his legacy 
to us has been to treat each other decently as human beings. He 
embodies the Golden Rule--``Do unto others as you would have them do 
unto you.''
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the continual source of 
inspiration to many of us in south Texas--Dr. Hector Garcia, physician 
and American patriot.

                          ____________________