[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13339]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATING LINDA KAZEN GARZA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2016

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Linda Kazen 
Garza on her new position as President of the Advocates for the 
American Osteopathic Association; a national organization that supports 
and promotes the osteopathic profession through education, advocacy, 
and collaboration.
  Linda Kazen Garza was born on December 1, 1963 to Antonio and Josie 
Kazen in Laredo, Texas. While growing up in Laredo she was a member of 
the Blessed Sacrament Church youth choir and a participant in the 
Junior Miss Laredo Pageant. Interestingly enough, it was during her 
time in choir that she met a fellow guitarist named David Garza, who 
later became her husband. After graduating from Nixon High School she 
went on to the University of Texas at Austin where she received her 
Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications.
  Mrs. Garza's involvement with advocacy efforts within the osteopathic 
medical profession began during her husband's education at the Texas 
College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) in Fort Worth. She would even go 
on to serve as the Vice President for TCOM's chapter of the Student 
Advocates Association. Eventually, she would go on to serve in her 
husband's medical practice as an office administrator. She has been 
serving alongside her husband for over two decades.
  Linda's passion for the osteopathic medical field led her to become 
an active member of multiple advocacy groups. Her involvement includes: 
Treasurer and former President of the Advocates of the Texas 
Osteopathic Medical Association (ATOMA), Director at Large on the Board 
of Trustees and delegate to the Advocates for the American Osteopathic 
Association (AAOA), and she has been a member of several AAOA 
committees.
  Linda Kazen Garza currently resides in Laredo, Texas where she is 
married to Dr. David Garza and has two sons named Joseph and Nicholas. 
In addition to her exemplary career and advocacy efforts; she's been an 
active member of her local community where she was a trustee for the 
Laredo Center for the Arts and former President of the Laredo Business 
and Professional Women's Association. In her free time she enjoys 
hunting, fishing, traveling, and going to the beach.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize Mrs. 
Linda Kazen Garza on her recent appointment and for her many years of 
service to the osteopathic community. It is pleasing to see this ninth 
generation Texan and Laredoan and niece of former Congressman Abraham 
Kazen doing great work for the community.

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