[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 52 (Thursday, March 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E789-E790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF MATILDA M. GARCIA IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 2009

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, in recognition of Women's 
History Month, I rise today to honor Matilda Martinez Garcia, a devoted 
advocate for Hispanic Americans in Florida. Ms. Garcia exemplifies the 
power of women to make a difference in their communities.
  Ms. Garcia is a third generation Floridian whose grandfather came 
from Spain to Tampa via Cuba. Ms. Garcia serves as a liaison between 
the Tampa government and the Hispanic community as a council member of 
the Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Council. She also serves on several 
boards including the Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Council, LULAC and the 
University of Florida's Mental Health Institute.
  Ms. Garcia is a member of the Tampa Hispanic Heritage Board of 
Directors, which is comprised of Hispanic Americans with varied roots 
who share pride in being Hispanic. The organization serves to share 
rich Spanish language, culture, and traditions with the community 
during Tampa's Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
  Ms. Garcia served as the Former State Director of The League of 
United Latin American Citizens. LULAC's mission is to advance the 
economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health 
and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States. In 
2007, Ms. Garcia spoke at a LULAC convention seminar on the historic 
and ongoing contributions that Latina leaders have made to the civil 
rights struggle in the U.S. and the development of LULAC as a civil 
rights organization. Women's leadership has long been a cornerstone of 
the Latino community.
  As a member of the Florida Institute for Community Studies (FICS) 
Board of Directors, Ms. Garcia speaks to children about her life 
growing up in Tampa as the child of Spanish immigrants and the 
challenges facing the Hispanic community.
  In 2001 the Department of Child and Family Studies created the 
Matilda Garcia Initiative, or ``Latin American Research Scholars 
Exchange,'' to ensure continued collaboration between the Department of 
Child and Family Studies and Latin American researchers and 
practitioners. The Matilda Garcia Initiative provides the Institute 
with a means for strengthening the level of exchange with Latin America 
through the funding of these and other activities. Ms. Garcia's support 
has encouraged a new vision of future collaboration between the 
Department of Child and Family Studies at FMHI and a wide variety of 
Latin American academic institutions and organizations.
  In 2002, The Community of Tampa Bay proudly awarded Ms. Garcia the 
Silver Medallion Humanitarian Award. This award is given to members of 
the community who have helped to promote dialogue and respect among 
cultures, religions, and races.
  At the age of 89, Ms. Garcia attended the 2008 Democratic National 
Convention as Florida's oldest delegate. At the convention Ms. Garcia 
inspired Florida's delegates with her

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youthful sense of humor and her passion about changing American 
politics.
  Madam Speaker, Matilda Garcia is a highly regarded woman who has 
touched the lives of many in Tampa. I am proud to call her my neighbor, 
and I join many others to applaud her lifelong contribution to the 
Tampa Bay community.

                          ____________________