[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25471]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 VICTOR GARZA HONORED FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF SANTA 
                              CLARA COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 2003

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements of 
Victor Garza and would like to recognize his extraordinary and tireless 
service to the people of Santa Clara County.
  Victor, who has been called the ``Latino Voice of San Jose,'' retired 
last month after 26 years as a Veteran Services Officer for the County 
of Santa Clara.
  Victor has served on numerous boards of directors and community 
committees related to education, youth and health, including his 
current role as chairman of the La Raza Roundtable, boardmember for the 
Center for Training and Careers, and as a leader in the American G.I. 
Forum.
  Victor is a former Navy mechanic who served in the Korean war, and 
has been an outspoken advocate for veterans throughout Santa Clara 
County, fighting for access to services and recognition for our 
veterans.
  Originally from Eagle Pass, TX, Victor came to San Jose in 1971 when, 
after leaving the Navy and farm work, Garza enrolled at San Jose State 
University. At 34, the man who never graduated from high school worked 
full-time as a foreman at a bus manufacturing company in Hayward while 
taking a full load of classes at night. He graduated with a master's 
degree in public affairs.
  Throughout his career, he has also organized Latino job fairs, 
boycotted against job discrimination and founded an organization to 
send Latinos to college.
  Victor has devoted his life to enrich and advance his community, and 
his contributions deserve to be honored to serve as an inspiration for 
our youth, veterans and for the residents of Santa Clara County.
  I wish to thank Victor Garza for his tireless service to the County 
and wish him the best in his future endeavors. Furthermore, he has my 
personal thanks for our years of friendship. Though we will all miss 
his compassion, expertise and commitment, his dedication has left its 
mark on Santa Clara County.

                          ____________________