    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [July 26, 1996]
    [Page 1204]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of Hector Garcia
    July 26, 1996

        Hillary and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr.
    Hector P. Garcia. The founder of the American GI Forum, Dr. Garcia
    fought for half a century for the civil and educational rights of
    Mexican-Americans. A national hero and decorated Army veteran, Dr.
    Garcia became the first Hispanic-American to be awarded the Presidential
    Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor.
        Recently, Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, his hometown,
    dedicated the Hector P. Garcia Plaza and established the Hector P.
    Garcia Scholarship Endowment. It is a fitting tribute to a man who
    fought for the rights of Hispanic-Americans, veterans, and all Americans
    throughout his life. Hillary and I extend our deepest condolences to his
    family and to all the Latino community.