[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH HONOREES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Hispanic Heritage Month 
to recognize two constituents of our district who have impacted the 
history and culture of Hispanic Americans across Nebraska and the 
Second Congressional District.
  Linda Rivera Garcia and Jose Francisco Garcia, descendants of 
Mexican-born grandparents, founded the Mexican American Historical 
Society of the Midlands. They have dedicated their whole adult lives to 
creating awareness of the rich legacy built by the presence of Mexican 
Americans in the Midlands.
  Linda Garcia grew up on a farm in Papillion, Nebraska, my hometown, 
and attended a one-room country school. She graduated from Papillion 
High School with her brother, representing the only persons of color in 
the late fifties and early sixties. Linda would go on to obtain a 
degree in the arts at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska.
  For over 50 years, Linda has used her artistic presence as a 
community advocate for Mexican Americans. She has received many 
accolades, including being named Hispanic Woman of the Year by the 
Mexican American Commission. The Great Plains Museum in Lincoln and the 
Willa Cather museum in Red Cloud, Nebraska, featured Linda's art 
exhibits. She serves as a storyteller with the National Arts Council 
and Humanities Nebraska and is the artistic director and cultural 
curator of the South Omaha Museum of Immigrant History.

  Jose Garcia was born and raised on the west side of Kansas City, 
Missouri. Growing up, Jose sold TV Guides and worked at a Mexican 
grocery store.
  After graduating high school, he would go on to work at Macy's, Aetna 
Insurance, and the Commerce Trust bank, all while attending night 
school at a junior college.
  In 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. Jose 
would then use the GI Bill to obtain a degree in psychology from the 
University of Missouri-Kansas City and became involved in the Chicano 
student movement of the time.
  Jose moved to Omaha in 1976 and married the love of his life, Linda, 
in 1977, starting a family just south of Saint Frances Cabrini Church 
in South Omaha. Jose directed the Chicano Awareness Center and, in 
1980, began working with the Chicago & North Western Railroad. 
Additionally, he hosted a community news program called ``Razatimes.''
  Aside from their accomplishments, Linda and Jose would establish 
three ``Houses of Culture,'' ``Casas de Cultural,'' in South Omaha. In 
2009, they founded the Mexican American Historical Society of the 
Midlands to curate, preserve, collect, and exhibit the presence of 
Mexican-American and Latino history, culture, and traditions.
  Through the historical society, the Garcias currently manage a 2,000-
square-foot collection of Chicano, Latino, and Mexican cultural 
materials, images, literature, folk art, and objects documenting the 
postcolonial Spanish-speaking peoples with Midwestern ancestry. They 
also support the South Omaha Museum of Immigrant History.
  The Garcias' lifelong commitment to preserving Hispanic heritage and 
culture will impact future generations. As we reflect on the 
significant contributions of Hispanic Americans to our society and 
culture, I recognize and thank both Garcias for the long-lasting legacy 
they have contributed to Nebraska's Second Congressional District.

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