[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORIAM PETE GARCIA

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. KYRSTEN SINEMA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2017

  Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a community 
leader, a U.S. Army veteran, a native Arizonan and a tireless advocate 
for economic, racial and social justice. Pete Garcia is truly an 
Arizona legend and his contributions to our community will live on for 
generations to come.
  Pete volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1962 and served in Germany. 
After his honorable discharge, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service 
while putting himself through Phoenix College.
  Pete worked for many non-profit organizations in Phoenix including 
Phoenix Job Corps, Valle del Sol, and perhaps most notably, Chicanos 
Por La Causa (CPLC). Under his leadership at CPLC, the organization's 
operating budget grew from $3 million to over $60 million. In 2008 it 
was named the second largest Hispanic non-profit in the United States 
by Hispanic Business Magazine. During his tenure as President and CEO 
of the organization he received numerous awards and recognition, 
including being invited to participate in the Ditchley Foundation 
Conference in the United Kingdom three times. He was selected as a 
Johnson Fellow, named an AARP Inspire award recipient, received the 
Cesar E. Chavez Leadership Institute legacy award, Pioneer in 
Excellence by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and ``One of 
the Valley's Most Influential People'' by the Phoenix Business Journal, 
among many others.
  Pete was a dedicated husband to Sarah and a devoted father to Daniel, 
Hilario, and Illana. He was also a grandfather to Brenna, Morgan, Pete, 
Leila and Alya. In his spare time he enjoyed coaching his children's 
Little League teams, playing basketball, and playing with his own kids 
as well as other neighborhood children.
  After his tenure at CPLC ended, Pete went on to be a successful 
philanthropist in his ``retirement.'' He started a whole new foundation 
focused on educational opportunities for underserved students, which he 
named the Victoria Foundation in honor of his own mother. From 2008-
2017 Peter raised more than $4 million to enable students to attend 
ASU, UA, NAU GCU, Maricopa County Community Colleges and several out of 
state schools. The foundation offered scholarships to 80 community 
college students, 60 university students, and 4 medical school 
students. Pete also raised money through the Victoria Foundation to 
provide 300 bikes for inner city youths, stockings to the elderly at 
Christmas, and to provide turkey dinners to veterans on Thanksgiving.
  Pete leaves behind a legacy of generosity, advocacy, and hard work. 
Arizona is grateful for his contributions to our community, May his 
memory be a blessing to his friends and family.

                          ____________________