[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17561-17562]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HISPANIC HERITAGE FOUNDATION HONORING DR. JULIET GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2006

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a patriotic 
American honored this month by the--Hispanic Heritage Foundation--Dr. 
Juliet Garcia of Brownsville, Texas.
  Dr. Garcia has been a groundbreaker for higher education, becoming 
the first Mexican American woman in the nation to ascend to the 
presidency of a university, the University of Texas at Brownsville 
(UTB).
  She has provided improved higher education opportunities for the 
people in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.
  She has led UTB through a phenomenal period of growth and success. 
The campus has grown from 49 acres to 382 acres, enrollment has 
increased by 27 percent, and student performance has improved 
dramatically.
  The Hispanic Heritage Foundation promotes and celebrates Hispanic 
culture, education, and accomplishment through year-round national and 
regional inspirational leadership programs by sponsoring a number of 
educational

[[Page 17562]]

and cultural programs, including the Hispanic Heritage Awards, Youth 
Awards, and the LOFT (Latinos on Fast Track) Initiative.
  The Hispanic Heritage Awards and Ceremony began as a small White 
House ceremony in 1987 honoring the creation of Hispanic Heritage 
Month, September 15 thru October 15. The award is a prestigious honor 
for Dr. Garcia and is a culmination of the Foundation's year-round 
efforts.
  In an evening filled with cultural pride and celebration, the 
Foundation and the audience honor notable Hispanics who have 
distinguished themselves as role models in the Hispanic community while 
making a positive impact in our country.
  This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hispanic Heritage Awards 
and the theme of the 2006 ceremony will be ``Looking Back, Moving 
Forward,'' representing the Hispanic community as part of the history 
of this Nation and our presence in the Nation's future.
  I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in commending our 
Texas pioneer, Dr. Garcia, for her recognition as an outstanding 
educator that inspires our community, increases individual excellence 
among young Hispanics, and raises the standard of excellence at UTB.

                          ____________________