[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 193 (Tuesday, November 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1603-E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIFE AND SACRIFICE OF MR. 
                            PRIMITIVO GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 2017

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
50th Anniversary of Primitivo ``Tivo'' Garcia's ultimate sacrifice for 
another. Primitivo's selfless act of valor and history are well known 
in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which I proudly represent. 
In 1943, Primitivo Garcia Loya was born in Chihuhua, Mexico to Antonio 
Garcia Garcia and Gregoria Loya Lerma. At the age of twenty-two, 
Primitivo migrated to the United States with his family in search of 
the American Dream.
  Primitivo was like many other immigrants who come to the United 
States; he wanted to

[[Page E1604]]

work hard, have a family, pursue his passions and buy a home for his 
mother. He understood that in America, hard work could yield all of 
those things and began his career as a shipping clerk. He had hoped 
this job would allow him to marry his fiance and earn enough money to 
make a down payment on a home for his mother. Between he and his 
brother's pay, they soon put a down payment on a house for their 
mother, but Primitivo wanted to earn his citizenship before marrying 
his bride-to-be.
  There was nothing more that Primitivo wanted than to become an 
American Citizen, so he and his brother enrolled in English classes at 
Westport High School to meet the necessary qualifications for 
citizenship. It was in this class that Primitivo and his brother, 
Alfredo, would meet someone who would change their life forever, Mrs. 
Margaret Kindermann (now Margaret Kelso).
  Fifty years ago, on November 15, 1967, Primitivo Garcia, and his 
brother Alfredo Garcia walked out of their night English class and 
heard a scream. They both realized that a woman was being accosted 
outside of their school and as Mrs. Kindermann recalled, Primitivo and 
Alfredo were not ``going to let this happen.'' That night, both Garcia 
brothers would save their English teacher, Mrs. Kindermann, from 
impending doom. After rushing to their teacher's aide, the Garcia 
brothers immediately fought off the attackers, but one of the attackers 
drew a gun and shot Primitivo.
  As Mrs. Kindermann recalls, she feared for her life and the life of 
her 5-month-old, unborn child. Primitivo's and Alfredo's bravery saved 
two lives that night, but tragically, Primitivo succumbed to his wounds 
three days later.
  Primitivo Garcia would become the first local, Hispanic hero in 
Kansas City because of his benevolent act of sacrifice for his teacher 
and her unborn child. Former Missouri Governor Warren Hearnes declared 
Primitivo an honorary citizen of the state as well as declared December 
1st to be Primitivo Garcia Day in Kansas City. Parks would later be 
named in honor of Primitivo's story, memorials dedicated to his legacy, 
but in 1992, Joe Arce, a local television reporter, did a two-part 
feature story that continued Primitivo's story.
  It was this story that sparked community support within the Historic 
Westside neighborhood to urge the Kansas City, MO School Board to name 
their newly constructed West Magnet School as the Primitivo Garcia 
World Language School. A year after Mr. Arce's story, the school was 
named in Primitivo's honor.
  It is through the actions of Alfredo and the sacrifice of his 
brother, Primitivo, that should remind us of our country's legacy of 
immigrant sacrifice in pursuit of the American Dream. Primitivo simply 
stood up for what he knew to be right, helping the helpless in their 
time of need. Primitivo's spirit and legacy will live on through our 
community's eternal willingness to commemorate this valiant act and I 
am honored to share his story with you today.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our heartfelt appreciation 
to Primitivo Garcia's family. I urge my colleagues to please join me in 
conveying our gratitude to his family and community for sharing this 
great man with us, and to allow us to honor his legacy. He is, and will 
forever be, an inspiration to current and future generations.

                          ____________________