[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E758-E759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING RODRIGO ``ROD'' GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JUDY CHU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 2022

  Ms. CHU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Rodrigo 
``Rod'' Garcia, who passed away on July 2, 2022. Rod was a respected 
visionary, leader, and advocate whose incredible life was defined by 
his dedication to empowering the Hispanic community to achieve 
educational excellence, economic opportunity, and social equity.
  Rod Garcia was born in East Los Angeles, California in 1943. He 
graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a 
bachelor's degree of science in engineering and also obtained an 
associate degree in engineering from East Los Angeles College, 
launching a lifelong career in the Science, Technology, Engineering, 
and Math (STEM) field. Rod subsequently served as a civil engineer for 
the City of Los Angeles and worked for the Port of Los Angeles in 
Public Works, Building and Safety. Due to his expertise in the field of 
engineering and his leadership abilities, Rod went on to chair the City 
of Monterey Park's Planning Commission as well as serving on the Dean 
of Engineering's Advisory Board for his alma mater, California State 
University, Los Angeles. Rod also served as president of Century 
Diversified, Inc., an engineering and construction firm, for over 
thirty years.
  Rod was one of the few Hispanic engineers amidst a tech boom in 
California in 1973 and despite being in the minority in the STEM field, 
he gathered a cohort of fellow Hispanic engineers determined to 
contribute and diversify the sector. That's why, in 1974, Rod founded 
the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) with the mission 
of ensuring networking and education opportunities for Hispanic 
students and professionals in the Southern California region. Shortly 
thereafter, SHPE's first collegiate chapters were established at 
California State University, Los Angeles, East Los Angeles College, and 
the University of Southern California. For five decades, Rod's high-
spirited and fearless leadership propelled the SHPE to reach 13,000 
memberships and 286 chapters nationwide. His unique ability to unite 
community partners

[[Page E759]]

and leaders around the country serve as evidence that closing the STEM 
education gap and increasing the number of Hispanics in STEM can and 
will be done.
  Rod will be remembered by his colleagues and thousands of current and 
former SHPE students and professionals for his devotion, service, 
mentorship, and immense contributions to expanding awareness, access, 
support, and development opportunities to Hispanics in STEM so that 
they may realize their potential and positively impact the world. His 
legacy of empowering the Hispanic community to achieve educational 
excellence, economic opportunity, and social equity will guide many 
members of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers for 
generations to come. I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating 
the life of this extraordinary individual.

                          ____________________