[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H6500-H6502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HIPOLITO F. GARCIA FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3884) to designate the Federal building and United States 
courthouse located at 615 East Houston Street in San Antonio, Texas, as 
the ``Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and United States 
Courthouse''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3884

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The Federal building and United States courthouse located 
     at 615 East Houston Street in San Antonio, Texas, shall be 
     known and designated as the ``Hipolito F. Garcia Federal 
     Building and United States Courthouse''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     and United States courthouse referred to in section 1 shall 
     be deemed to be a reference to the ``Hipolito F. Garcia 
     Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3884, introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Gonzalez), designates the Federal Building and United States Courthouse 
located at 615 East Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas, as the Hipolito 
F. Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
  Judge Garcia was born in San Antonio, Texas, on December 4, 1925, and 
grew up in a neighborhood a few blocks from the very courthouse that 
will now bear his name. After serving his country in the Army from 1943 
to 1945, Judge Garcia attended St. Mary's University School of Law. He 
graduated in 1951 and began working for Bexar County, Texas, as the 
Assistant Criminal Attorney, a position he held until 1963.
  After a short time practicing law privately, Judge Garcia served as 
Judge to the county court in 1964 and State district court until 1974. 
Judge Garcia's career culminated in 1981 when President Carter 
appointed him to the United States District Court for the Western 
District of Texas. He sadly passed away on January 16, 2002.
  Judge Garcia is remembered as a man who treated everyone with respect 
and remained humble despite his high position. He served his country in 
arms and in justice, and he was the first Mexican American to serve as 
a United States District Judge in the Western District of Texas.
  This is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. I support 
this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3884 is a bill to designate the Federal Building 
and United States Courthouse located at 615 East Houston Street, San 
Antonio, Texas, as the Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and United 
States Courthouse.
  The bill was introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez). 
Judge Garcia was born on December 14, 1925, in San Antonio. He recently 
died in January, 2002. He was educated at public schools, and in 1951 
received his law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law. 
During World War II, he served in the United States Army.
  His professional career included being Deputy District Clerk for 
Bexar County, Assistant Criminal Attorney, and Judge for the County-
Court-at-Law. In 1979, President Carter nominated him for the Federal 
bench, and he was confirmed by the Senate in 1980.
  Judge Garcia was an inspiration and role model. He broke barriers and 
earned a place in history as the first Mexican American to serve as a 
United States District Court Judge in the Western District of Texas. 
Despite his status, he remained humble and was known for treating 
everyone with dignity and respect.
  He was an outstanding public servant who mentored young lawyers, 
providing sage advice and counsel. Judge Garcia was an exemplary public 
servant, and this dedication honors his contributions to the citizens 
of San Antonio and Texas.
  I support H.R. 3884 and strongly urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez), the author of the bill.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alaska 
(Chairman Young), the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Oberstar), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), and the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for bringing 
this bill to the floor.
  I could go over all of Hippo's accomplishments, and I say ``Hippo'' 
with the greatest affection and respect. Few people ever referred to 
him by formal title because he would not have it. And if he were alive 
and we were honoring him in this fashion today, he would probably be a 
little humbled and embarrassed.

[[Page H6501]]

  Mr. Speaker, I will keep my remarks brief, but a man of the caliber 
and decency of Hippo Garcia deserves a couple of minutes to recognize 
his true contribution. Members have heard of his professional 
accomplishments, his sacrifices and contributions to the legal 
profession, to the city and the State and to this country, but I would 
like to bring out the human side of Hippo, that he was probably one of 
the most decent human beings one could ever meet.
  He was a mentor and second father to many young San Antonio lawyers. 
I had the privilege of practicing before him when he was a county court 
law judge, a State district court judge, and then he moved to the 
Federal level. Many of us sought counsel with Hippo, a brave and wise 
man. We all had our first trials in Hippo's court. My first nonjury 
trial, which I lost, my first jury trial, which I also lost, come to 
think of it; but somehow it was a learning experience for everyone.
  In the era of determinative sentences, mandatory guidelines, Hippo 
was an individual that still had a great deal of compassion and 
understanding and exercised that kind of discretion in such a 
responsible manner to make all of us proud.
  Many people say the last thing we want is a liberal activist judge. I 
am here to tell Members that Hippo Garcia was a liberal activist judge. 
And what I mean by that is, his rulings always exhibited a liberal dose 
of humanity and decency and compassion. He was an activist, no doubt, 
and that activism was in the pursuit of justice.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank everyone who made this possible. Of 
course, the building we are naming is right across from the Alamo, 
which is a fitting location, so that everyone that passes by there will 
always remember the great sacrifices of the defenders of the Alamo, and 
look up and see Hippo's name on the Federal Building and remember the 
great contributions of a great man by the name of Hipolito Garcia.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3884 
which would name the San Antonio Federal Courthouse after the Honorable 
Hipolito F. Garcia, better known to San Antonians as Hippo Garcia.
  He was a native of San Antonio, and entered high school unable to 
speak English. Through hard work and determination, he became the first 
Mexican American to be named a Federal judge for the Western District. 
After graduating from high school, he served in the Army and on his 
return to civilian life, he earned a law degree.
  With his diploma in hand, he launched his career as assistant 
district attorney. Years later, Judge Garcia was recognized by 
President Carter who nominated him to the Federal bench in 1980. 
Following his confirmation by the United States Senate, he served as a 
U.S. District Judge for the Western District.
  Judge Garcia, better known as Hippo Garcia, dedicated more than 50 
years of his life pursuing the cause of justice and inspired many 
people along his path. Over the course of his extraordinary life, Judge 
Garcia blazed new trails for Americans of Hispanic descent and brought 
incomparable integrity, fairness and intelligence to his courtroom. He 
is a highly respected jurist who has earned this permanent honor.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation as we 
commemorate his achievements, Judge Hippo Garcia.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3884, a bill to 
designate the federal building and United States Courthouse located at 
615 East Houston St., San Antonio Texas as the Hipolito F. Garcia 
Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
  Hipolito Garcia was a native Texan, born in San Antonio in 1925. 
Judge Garcia received his law degree from St. Mary's University School 
of Law in 1951. He was nominated by President Carter to the federal 
bench in 1979 and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 1980. Judge 
Garcia was the first Hispanic judge for the Western District of Texas 
where he served with distinction for over two decades.
  Hipolito Garcia was renowned for his fairness, professionalism, and 
his commitment to public service. He was part of the ``Greatest 
Generation'', serving in the Army during World War II. Prior to his 
appointment to the federal bench, Judge Garcia worked as an assistant 
district attorney and as a county court-at-law judge. Throughout his 
accomplished career, he remained humble and proud of his San Antonio 
roots.
  I thank Congressman Gonzalez for introducing this legislation. It is 
a fitting tribute to an outstanding jurist and public servant. I 
support the bill and urge its passage.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to cosponsor with 
Representative Gonzalez legislation that designates the Federal 
building and courthouse located in downtown San Antonio, Texas, as the 
``Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.
  Judge Hipolito Garcia--known to his friends as ``Hippo''--led an 
amazing life and career. He was born to immigrant parents in downtown 
San Antonio, just two blocks from the United States Courthouse where he 
served as a United States District Judge for over 20 years.
  Despite the challenges of learning English, and of being one of the 
few Hispanic students at his high school, he excelled and graduated as 
the most popular member of his class.
  Judge Garcia served our nation in the U.S. Army in World War II. He 
went on to receive a law degree from St. Mary's University and then 
became a respected member of the San Antonio legal community.
  After serving as a County Court-at-Law judge, and then as a State 
District Court judge in Bexar County, Judge Garcia was appointed a 
federal judge in the Western District of Texas. He served on that bench 
more than twenty years.
  In addition to his professional accomplishments, Hippo Garcia was a 
light in our community. He befriended many young attorneys, sharing his 
time, his knowledge, and his innumerable stories.
  Judge Garcia loved the law and our hometown of San Antonio. It is 
fitting that we should name the federal courthouse in his honor.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this legislation.
  If my colleagues or constituents want to know more about this 
remarkable man, I've made a part of the record a eulogy given by a good 
friend, James R. Nowlin, a federal judge now on senior status. It does 
strike me that while Judge Nowlin was in good company with Judge 
Garcia, the reverse was true as well.

                           [January 19, 2002]

     MEMORIAL, JUDGE H.F. ``HIPPO'' GARCIA, FIFTH CIRCUIT JUDICIAL 
                            CONFERENCE, 2002

                          (By James R. Nowlin)

       From the time I was a 24-year-old guy in San Antonio, 
     Texas, until recent years, whenever I would be driving Judge 
     Garcia to a restaurant, to a meeting, to the courthouse--
     whenever we crossed a street or walked a slippery sidewalk, 
     his favorite expression was always: ``Careful what you do.'' 
     I know that he is looking over my shoulder now with that same 
     direction. Hippo, I will be careful, but I will not hide the 
     bright light you brought to this world. As you often said to 
     me after a fine meal and a few glasses of wine:

     ``My candle burns at both ends;
     It will not last the night;
     But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends--
     It gives such a lovely light''

       I will not burden you with many of the biographical details 
     we can all find in Justices and Judges of the United States 
     Courts. Let me rather attempt to briefly share with you some 
     of that lovely light.
       A 17th century French writer proclaimed: ``As uncommon a 
     thing as true love is, it is yet easier to find than true 
     friendship.'' For more than 35 years I was blessed with that 
     uncommon thing--a true friendship with the kindest, most 
     generous, most humorous, most gentle, most practically 
     intelligent person I have ever met. His name: Hipolito Frank 
     Garcia, short in stature, respectable in girth, but with a 
     heart larger than the earth itself. Common as the surname 
     ``Garcia'' is in San Antonio and South Texas, this ``Garcia'' 
     was no ordinary man. He was one of a kind.
       Hippo was born on December 4, 1925, of immigrant parents in 
     a small home just two blocks from the United States 
     Courthouse where he served as an active United States 
     District Judge for just short of 22 years. He spoke little 
     English prior to entering a high school in San Antonio 
     where he was about the only Hispanic student. His low key 
     drive to compete, excel, and make friends endeared him to 
     his fellow students who, unable to pronounce his given 
     name ``Hipolito'' simply called him ``Hippo.'' The young, 
     bashful, non-English speaking student who entered 
     Brackenridge High School in 1939 graduated as the most 
     popular member of his class, served with distinction with 
     the Third Armored Division, United States Army in Germany 
     during World War II, and received a law degree from St. 
     Mary's University School of Law. His college and law 
     school career was thanks to the GI Bill and his work as a 
     janitor at the law school after hours. In addition to his 
     love of and respect for the law, he loved to read 
     Shakespeare, became a recognized scholar of the American 
     Civil War

[[Page H6502]]

     and read every biography of Abraham Lincoln ever written. 
     Not bad for a once skinny, non-English speaking kid from 
     San Antonio, Texas.
       Hippo was continually fascinated with the English language 
     and in our hundreds of lunches and dinners over the past 35 
     years regaled me with stories of San Antonio's social and 
     political past. As a young, green lawyer I was not only 
     enthralled with his stories and his jokes but I found it 
     amazing that a county judge would spend time with me. There 
     were over the year's dozens of young men and women who had 
     the same experiences with ``The Judge'' and felt equally 
     honored.
       He told me of his ancestors and their fight for 
     independence in Mexico; of his relatives who were associated 
     with Pancho Villa; of what it was like to grow up in San 
     Antonio as a Mexican-American child not speaking English; of 
     landmarks in the City of San Antonio that I had not noticed 
     or simply forgotten; of being beaten up by a group of thugs 
     when he was working a polling place for Henry B. Gonzalez, in 
     his early efforts as the first Hispanic political leader in 
     San Antonio to win important elective public office; and of 
     his Spanish speaking mother's reaction when he tried to 
     explain to her that he had just become a county court-at-law 
     judge: ``How many times have I told you, I don't want you 
     to be no policeman!''
       For some reason, I distinctly recall a story about a small 
     theater in downtown San Antonio where Hippo, as a child would 
     go on Saturdays not only for entertainment but to try and 
     learn English--I think it was known as the State Theater. 
     That was only when he had the dime required for the ticket. 
     He told me about a stage show at that theater that occurred 
     every Saturday. He watched in awe as several dancers did a 
     vaudeville routine with brooms and sang ``sweep, sweep, sweep 
     the cobwebs off the moon.'' Those musical English words 
     intrigued him and stayed with him the rest of his life and 
     occasionally, after a glass or two of his favorite wine, he 
     would sing those lyrics to the surprise of his dinner 
     companions.
       I and many other more important people were beneficiaries 
     of his constant effort to help young lawyers begin the 
     practice of law. He was the founding father of the ``Hippos 
     Baseball Team'' whose benched players include judges 
     (including our own Ed Prado and John Primomo), congressmen 
     and successful businessmen. His patience, his fairness, his 
     teaching by example, his unmatched generosity was not limited 
     to lawyers. Over the years I witnessed first-hand his 
     financial gifts (which he fictionally called ``loans'') to 
     young men and women who needed help to pay tuition or to 
     provide the necessities of life in order to go to school or 
     stay in school. He would seldom speak about these things but 
     would rather joke that, human nature being what it is, some 
     of those beneficiaries of his generosity would probably run 
     against him some day. It never happened.
       If there is a good restaurant in San Antonio that Hippo did 
     not frequent I am not aware of it. The measure of a good 
     restaurant: superior food and plentiful white wine. As one 
     restaurant owner told me: ``Hippo loves to eat more than 
     anyone I've ever known.'' Menus at the Judge's favorite 
     restaurants are replete with dishes named after him. From 
     ``Hippo's Meat Loaf'' to Tex-Mex dishes to lavish desserts, 
     he left his mark on the bills of fare. Perhaps the place of 
     greatest enjoyment for him was a restaurant at which a well-
     known local jazz band played. ``Hippo's Song,'' the jazz 
     rendition of his favorite hymn, ``Just A Closer Walk With 
     Thee,'' was announced and played at least once each night. 
     As requested by Judge Hippo, a member of that jazz band 
     played a solo rendition of the hymn at his funeral.
       Hippo's secret weapon for most all of his success and 
     scores of friendships I concluded was his unique ability to 
     listen, to sympathize and associate himself with another's 
     problems and challenges. Then he would tell a funny story. 
     From what I know, he would not have succeeded in the 
     priesthood but he would have been one Hell of a bartender!
       In the early hours of the morning of January16, 2002, Hippo 
     Garcia, a fine judge but more importantly, a great human 
     being, without any doubt joined the Saint for whom he was 
     named and all the saints in Heaven. His favorite restaurants 
     and the wineries of the world will now need their own 
     economic stimulus package. For his immediate family, his 
     dozens of godchildren, his legions of fiends, and those many 
     who, but for Hippo, might have stumbled and failed in life, 
     there is a tremendous sense of loss and a painful void. I 
     feel it every day.
       Never fear--in the words of ``Hippo's Song'' he has been 
     ``gently, safely guided to Thy kingdom shore'' and is ``ever 
     walking close to Thee.'' There is a table set in Heaven with 
     several empty chairs, plates of meatloaf, mashed potatoes 
     with real butter, and full glasses of Chablis. He's saving a 
     place for us: but when you pull out the chair and prepare to 
     sit, remember ``careful what you do.'' In the meantime, I 
     look up and I think I can almost see a great judge, the 
     funniest man on earth, my best friend ``sweep, sweep, 
     sweeping the cobwebs off the moon.''
       In June 1996, in recognition of his leadership and 
     ``invaluable public service to his state and nation'' then 
     Governor George W. Bush signed a Proclamation allowing Judge 
     Garcia to be buried in the Texas State Cemetery at Austin, 
     Texas. He lies thirty feet from Stephen F. Austin at the top 
     of Republic Hill, the first Mexican-American to be buried in 
     this historic section of the Cemetery.

     ``Green be the turf above thee,
     Friend of my better days!
     None knew thee but to love thee,
     Nor named thee but in praise.''

       May he rest in peace.

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3884.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________