[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING GIL GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 1999

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues an extraordinary man and friend who celebrated his 60th 
birthday on March 31, Gil Garcia.
  Gil has spent his entire life working on and serving the Central 
Coast of California. His formative years were spent in the Goleta 
Valley, where he attended elementary and junior high schools; he then 
went on to graduate from Santa Barbara Catholic High School. After 
serving four years in the United States Air Force in Oxnard, Gil worked 
for Arendt, Moser and Grant Architects for fourteen years, where he 
received his license to practice architecture. In 1976, he founded 
Garcia Architects, Inc., an architectural firm that continues to thrive 
today. Garcia Architects has received numerous awards throughout the 
years, including recognition from the Santa Barbara Chapter of the 
American Institute of Architects.
  In addition to Gil's significant architectural contributions to the 
City of Santa Barbara and the State of California, Gil has been and 
will continue to be an effective, innovative and caring councilman and 
community leader. His work has earned him the life Time Achievement 
Award from the Santa Barbara News-Press, Man of the Year Award, and 
Volunteer of the Year from the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce. he 
has also been recognized by the Santa Barbara Hispanic Achievement 
Council.
  Mr. Speaker, Gil Garcia's dedication to the people he represents is 
exemplary and I believe in his vision for our community. I congratulate 
Gil on his 60th birthday, and I commend him for years of service to the 
city of Santa Barbara and to our nation.

                          ____________________