[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 117 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER SYLVIA R. GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Harris County 
Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia. Aside from her hard work and diligence 
as an distinguished public servant, she has been an inspiration and a 
strong leader for the Hispanic communities of Southeast Texas. Prior to 
her election in 2003, Commissioner Garcia served as Controller for the 
City of Houston and before that served as the appointed Director and 
Presiding Judge of the Houston Municipal Court System.
  She is not only a great Houstonian, but a proven leader and driving 
force in her community. As an active leader in the Houston community, 
the Commissioner has served on more than 25 community boards and 
commissions, including the San Jacinto Girl Scouts, the Houston 
Hispanic Forum, the American Leadership Forum, the Texas Southern 
University Foundation and the Institute of Hispanic Culture. She has 
selflessly given of herself in order to promote strength and leadership 
in her community.
  Despite the demanding duties of being Harris County Commissioner, she 
has given of her time to be chairperson or honorary chairperson of many 
charity functions. Such functions include the kick-off for ``America 
Walks for Strong Women'', benefiting the National Osteoporosis 
Foundation and the ``International Paella Festival and Polo Espanol'' 
benefiting Casa de Esperanza and The Mercy Foundation.
  Her honors by the media and other organizations speak volumes about 
her service. She was named ``Humanitarian of the Year'' by the National 
Conference of Communities and Justice and has also been honored with 
the Texas Woman's University Board of Regents Woman of Distinction 
Award, the Hispanic Scouting Distinguished Citizen Award from the Sam 
Houston Area Boy Scouts of America, and the Board Award from the San 
Jacinto Girl Scouts.
  Commissioner Garcia's accomplishments should be an inspiration to us 
all. She has done a fine job as Harris County Commissioner and is an 
invaluable resource for the Hispanic communities of Texas. She is 
someone who continues to inspire, and I am proud to recognize her on 
the floor of the House today.

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