[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1343]]
EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE AMERICAN GI FORUM ON 
                          ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1291, 
which celebrates the 60th anniversary of one of our country's most 
prominent veterans and civil rights organizations--the American GI 
Forum.
  Originally founded to assist Hispanic World War II veterans fight 
discrimination from the VA, the American GI Forum now advocates for 
numerous additional causes, including voting rights, job training, and 
better access to education.
  This bill is special to me because it also commends the American GI 
Forum's founder, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, who hails from my hometown of 
Corpus Christi, TX. Dr. Garcia, himself a distinguished veteran, was 
one of the early leaders of the Hispanic civil rights movement.
  Dr. Garcia served as an alternate ambassador to the United Nations in 
1967, was appointed to the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 
1968, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom--the Nation's 
highest civilian honor--in 1984.
  Dr. Garcia grew up in South Texas and hitchhiked 30 miles a day to go 
to school. He enrolled into the University of Texas Medical School 
which accepted only one Mexican-American student per year.
  In addition to helping Hispanic veterans, Dr. Garcia also led the 
fight against ending discrimination against Hispanic students and 
brought attention to the poor conditions of migrant workers.
  From working with Presidents on civil rights issues to providing 
medical services to those who couldn't pay, Dr. Garcia dedicated his 
life to bettering the lives of all. His legacy, through the American GI 
Forum, will always live on.
  I congratulate the members of the American GI Forum for all their 
work as a beacon of hope for all veterans and citizens aspiring to 
improve the lives of those in their community.

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