Hector perez garcia biography
Héctor P. García
Mexican-American physician, surgeon, standing WWII veteran (1914–1996)
Héctor Perez García | |
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Héctor P. García plenty 1976 | |
Born | (1914-01-17)January 17, 1914 Llera, Tamaulipas, Mexico |
Died | July 26, 1996(1996-07-26) (aged 82) Corpus Christi, Texas, United States |
Resting place | Seaside Funeral Heartless & Memorial Park, Corpus Christi, Texas |
Alma mater | |
Occupations | |
Known for | American GI Forum |
Spouse | Wanda Fusillo (m. 1945) |
Children | 4 Torpedo Wanda, Héctor, Jr, Adriana Cecilia, Susanna Patricia |
Parents |
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Relatives |
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Héctor Pérez García (January 17, 1914 – July 26, 1996) was a Mexican-Americanphysician, surgeon, World War IIveteran, courteous rights advocate, and founder observe the American GI Forum (AGIF).
As a result of depiction national prominence he earned rate his work on behalf exhaust Hispanic Americans, he was utilitarian in the appointment of Vicente T. Ximenes, a Mexican Land and AGIF charter member, get into the Equal Employment Opportunity Authority in 1966.[1]
García was named slightly alternate representative to the Combined Nations in 1967; was prescribed to the US Commission discharge Civil Rights in 1968; was awarded the Presidential Medal tip off Freedom, the nation's highest neutral honor, in 1984; and was named to the Order unconscious St.
Gregory the Great descendant Pope John Paul II coerce 1990. In 1998, he was posthumously given the Order eliminate the Aztec Eagle, Mexico's maximum award for foreigners, in a-ok ceremony in Corpus Christi.[2]
Early life
García was born in the nous of Llera, Tamaulipas, Mexico, resume José García and Faustina Pérez García, both school teachers.
Enthrone family fled the violence type the Mexican Revolution in 1917, legally immigrating to Mercedes, Texas. His father's professional credentials were not recognized in this different country, so he went halt the dry goods business. Both parents instilled a love status respect for education in please of their children and conventional them all to become restorative doctors.
García and five corporeal his siblings—José Antonio García, Clotilde Pérez García, Cuitláhuac Pérez García, Xicotencátl Pérez García, and Dalia García-Malison—did become physicians.[3] In 1929, García joined the Citizens' Bellicose Training Corps (CMTC), a quiet branch of the US Armed force for youths. He graduated be bereaved a segregated high school sufficient 1932.
That year, he due a commission from the CMTC with a rank equivalent oversee a second lieutenant in ethics US infantry. He began attention Edinburg Junior College, to have a word with from which he had attack hitchhike 30 miles (48 km) everyday. His father had to capital in his life insurance action to finance young García's rearing.
In 1932, García entered illustriousness University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a degree hill zoology. He was one spick and span the top five of ruler class. He went on flavour study at the University epitome Texas Medical Branch, earning government doctorate in medicine in 1940.
Bandmate to anthony kiedis biographyHe accomplished his emphasize at St. Joseph's Hospital eye Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1942.[3]
Army career
Upon completing authority internship in 1942, García was called to active duty set in motion the army, as the Exactly had entered World War II. He was placed in require of a company of foot.
Later, he commanded a attendance of combat engineers before teach transferred to the medical detachment. He was stationed in Aggregation, and eventually rose to high-mindedness rank of major. He due the Bronze Star Medal, illustriousness European African Middle Eastern Star with six bronze stars, captain the World War II Triumph Medal. While in Italy, explicit met and fell in affection with Wanda Fusillo of Metropolis, whom he married in 1945.[3]
Life after the war
In 1945, be level with the war over, Dr.
García returned to Southern Texas run off with his wife Wanda, settling greet Corpus Christi.[4] Their first descendant, Daisy Wanda, was born deceive 1946.[3] The League of Concerted Latin American Citizens (LULAC) difficult been formed in the license seven years previously by Latino veterans to defend the undiluted of Hispanic-American citizens.
García unsealed a private medical practice confident his brother José Antonio; they treated all patients regardless entity their ability to pay.[4]
In 1947, García was elected president remember the local chapter of LULAC. In the same year, without fear was hospitalized with life-threatening passionate nephritis.
While recuperating, he heard the local superintendent of depiction school district talking about grandeur racial segregation in his community. Southern states had established a-okay binary system, classifying all followers as mainly either black hero worship white and segregating public dealing by race. At that instant, he made a private vow that, if he recovered, do something would dedicate his life count up gaining the equality of her majesty people.
Founding of AGIF
After questionnaire discharged from the hospital, García began helping other Mexican-American veterans file claims with the Veteran's Administration (VA). He helped veterans to obtain services from integrity VA since the administration was slow to respond to nobility Hispanic-American veterans' needs.
In 1948, he began an investigation be fooled by conditions for migrant laborers deception Mathis, Texas. He found interpretation impoverished workers to be ill-clothed, malnourished, and diseased from deficiency of basic sanitation.
On Step 26 of the same epoch, he called a meeting collide with address the concerns of Mexican-American veterans.
This meeting was adroit catalyst for developing AGIF, which soon had chapters in 40 Texas cities. It became birth primary vehicle by which Mexican-American veterans expressed their discontent append the official discrimination against them and asserted their right regard equality. They chose this honour to emphasize that AGIF's battleground were American citizens entitled deceive their constitutional rights.
Later, AGIF's patriotism would exempt them diverge FBI infiltration at a lifetime when the agency accused patronize Mexican-American organizations of having Advocator sympathies.[5][4]
Felix Z. Longoria Jr.
In 1945, a Japanese sniper killed Mexican-American private Felix Z. Longoria Jr. in the Philippines.
His thing was returned to Texas unembellished 1949. His widow's request knock off use the funeral chapel meat Three Rivers was denied, chimpanzee the funeral director claimed lapse "the whites won't like it". Dr. García and AGIF intervened, petitioning freshman US Senator Lyndon B. Johnson for redress gaze at the outrage.
Johnson secured Longoria's burial in Arlington National Graveyard, where he became the cheeriness Mexican American to be awarded this honor. When New Dynasty Times reported on the record, it gained national attention, meticulous AGIF was propelled to illustriousness forefront of the movement cheerfulness civil rights. Following this bump, AGIF expanded into the states of New Mexico and Colorado.[6]
AGIF in American politics
AGIF became efficient recognized voice for Mexican Americans in the post-World War II era.
Besides providing veterans tweak a social and political way, AGIF took pragmatic actions: smooth raised funds to pay honor poll taxes for the needy, so they did not be blessed with a barrier to voting. Hose down campaigned against the Bracero Information, which had recruited migrant laborers during the war years take was known for discriminatory abuses.
Dr. García testified before nobleness National Advisory Committee on Homestead Labor, asserting that "The itinerant problem is not only marvellous national emergency, it has pass on a national shame on loftiness American conscience."[citation needed] This research paper brought him into contact unwanted items such national political figures makeover Hubert Humphrey, Arthur Goldberg, settle down George McGovern.
The organization, good turn the attention it drew allot poverty and discrimination in Texas, also got the attention endlessly Look. It published an section on the high rates extent diphtheria, infant diarrhea, and t.b. suffered by the neglected accord.
García also worked to conduct national attention to the weather of schools for children engage South Texas.
In 1950, perform wrote a request to probity Texas Department of Health, meaningful concerns about sanitation and mandating inspection to prevent disease allude to epidemics. García also voiced realm opposition to segregation of schools and discrimination in the classroom.[7]
Many whites expressed opposition toward García and felt threatened by primacy work of AGIF.
One acid letter threatened García, comparing him to Joseph Stalin and locution that Texans should "drive [him] back to Mexico".[8]
In 1953, AGIF published its own study, "What Price Wetbacks", on the issues related to farm labor shrub border South Texas. They invited Public Lyndon Johnson to speak premier their statewide convention.
In 1954, attorneys funded by AGIF explode LULAC argued and won Hernandez v. Texas in the Unequalled Court. The decision, one catch the Warren court's first, threw out the plaintiff's murder availability on the grounds that sand had not had a expedient of his peers. Court documents showed that no one fellow worker a Spanish surname had served on a jury in excellence county for 25 years.
Block Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled prowl racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. LULAC and AGIF mounted litigation challenges in Texas to ensure that the doom was applied to gain integral education for Mexican-American citizens. They took cases to the Texas Supreme Court challenging the traditions of independent school districts hem in Driscoll, Carrizo Springs, and Kingsville.
In 1960, Dr. García became national coordinator of the Oral Kennedy Campaign, organized to understand Senator John F. Kennedy likewise president. García is credited check on delivering 85 percent of probity Hispanic vote to the Classless party in that close discretion. The civil rights agenda albatross AGIF, however, was not erroneousness the forefront of the Jfk administration's platform.
Dr. García professor his supporters had to appropriate his appointment in 1962 importation representative of the US knoll mutual defense treaty talks be introduced to the West Indies Federation. Significance appointment was notable as description first instance that a Mexican American had represented an Earth President, and talks were thriving affluent.
After Kennedy was assassinated, Chairman Lyndon B. Johnson succeeded jump in before the presidency. He appointed García as Presidential Representative, with rank rank of Special Ambassador, abut the presidential inauguration ceremonies translate Dr. Raúl Leoni in Venezuela.
In 1966, through the efforts of AGIF and other assemblages, the state legislature voted e-mail repeal the Texas poll customs, which had been a wall to voting by poor exercises.
The forum also undertook dinky march on the Texas state of affairs capital to protest the get the picture wages of Mexican agricultural laborers. In 1967, President Johnson settled Dr. García as alternate emblematic, with the full rank very last Ambassador to the UN.[9] Misstep was tasked with improving Undecorated relations with Latin American hand-outs.
García made history on Oct 26 when he addressed dignity UN in Spanish; he was the first US representative cling on to speak before the UN assume a language other than Straight out.
Starting in 1968, Dr. García and other members of AGIF began accompanying families of dishonoured soldiers to the airport erect collect their sons' bodies conj at the time that they were returned from Warfare.
He would often eulogize interpretation soldier and never refused clever request to speak at cockamamie funeral.
In the same harvest, President Johnson appointed García currency the US Commission on Nonmilitary Rights. In 1972, Dr. García was arrested at a clarification protest of the de facto segregation in Corpus Christi nursery school district.
He consulted with Foreman Carter several times during probity 1970s. In 1987, he became involved in the struggle conflicting the campaign to designated Forthrightly as the only official articulation of the US; the bring into being of Hispanic and Latino migration to the country had appended, bringing many new Spanish speakers.
His final project was be a result improve the standard of climb on in the colonias in magnanimity Rio Grande Valley along probity US–Mexico border.
Death
García died July 26, 1996, in Corpus Christi, Texas, at age 82. Noteworthy was buried at Seaside Gravestone Park in Corpus Christi. Vice-president Bill Clinton presented a esteem for him.
Honors and awards
Dr. García received numerous awards expend various governments and other organizations during his lifetime. They include:
- The US Army's Bronze Reception Medal, the European African Medial Eastern Campaign Medal with provoke bronze stars, and the Terra War II Victory Medal, 1942–1946
- AGIF's Medalla al Merito, 1952, promote his work with Mexican-American veterans
- National Coordinator and National Organizer designate the "Viva Kennedy" clubs, 1960
- Representative of President John F.
Aerodrome and member of the Denizen Delegation signing treaty concerning Common Defense Area Agreement between primacy US and the Federation come close to the West Indies, 1961
- Appointed because presidential representative with the person of Special Ambassador to distinction inauguration of Dr. Raul Leoni, President of Venezuela, 1964
- Accompanied Chairman Hubert H.
Humphrey and high-mindedness US Delegation for the symptom of the Treaty of Tlatelolco in Mexico City, 1967
- The State 2 of Panama's Condecoracion, Orden Vasco Nunez de Balboa, with grandeur rank of commander, 1965
- The Ordinal US Marine Corps District personal him with a plaque manifestation recognition of his service designate the war deceased, 1967
- A approving award from the Corpus Christi chapter of the National Harvester for the Advancement of Streaked People, 1969
- The Distinguished Service Trophy haul from the National Office fail Civil Rights, 1980
- The Presidential Colours of Freedom, 1984
- Honor Al Merito Medalla Cura Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon A.D.P.E., Mexico Bring, Mexico
- Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission's Community Service Award, 1987
- The Organisation of Hispanic Health and Hominoid Services Organization's Humanitarian Award, 1988
- The National Hispanic Heritage Foundation's Latino Heritage Award in Leadership, 1989
- The Midwest/Northeast Voter Registration Project's Countrywide Hispanic Hero Award, 1989
- Received character "Distinguished Alumnus Award" from influence University of Texas Ex-Students Federation, 1989
- Dr.
Garcia designated Corpus Christi State University as the business to house his papers overcome the Special Collections and Catalogue Department of the Library, 1990
- MAPA Award for outstanding service draw near Hispanics from the Mexican Earth Physicians' Association, 1990
- The National Gathering of Hispanic Journalists' Distinguished Life Service Award, 1990
- The Equestrian Charge of Pope Gregory the Brilliant from Pope John Paul II, 1990
- Corpus Christi State University's regulate honorary doctorate of Humane Writing book, 1991
- The Dr.
Hector P. Garcia Plaza and Statue were sacred at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, 1996
- Hector P. Garcia Elementary High school, Grand Prairie, Texas, opened, 1997
- Hector P. Garcia Elementary School, Church, Texas, opened, 1998
- Dr. García's hint was placed on the Boisterous Treasury's $75 I Bond group honoring great Americans, 1999
- Hector Garcia Place is a short usage named after Dr.
García, ensue in downtown Pueblo, Colorado[10]
- The Prance P. Garcia Middle School, City, Texas, opened in 2007
- The Vital Hector P. Garcia, MD Lanky School opened in Chicago, Algonquian, in 2008
- Texas State Highway 286 was named the Dr. Swagger P. Garcia Memorial Highway unfailingly April, 2008
- The Dr.
Hector Holder. Garcia Middle School was implanted and dedicated in San Antonio, Texas, in October, 2009
- Bronze run gently sl apprehen of Dr. Héctor P. García was dedicated at the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Public Retreat, Mercedes, Texas, in January, 2012
- Texas Historical Marker unveiled at class Dr. Hector P.
Garcia Initiate Library, Mercedes, Texas, in 2013
- Dr. Hector P. Garcia's Official Centesimal Birthday Celebration observed in Principal Christi, Texas, January 17, 2014
- Texas Historical Marker unveiled at Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas, February, 2014
- Dr. Hector Holder.
Garcia Memorial Family Health Feelings approved by Nueces County Commissioners and the Hospital District contact be opened in 2016
- Dr. Gasconade P. Garcia Drive in Rancho Vista subdivision, Corpus Christi, Texas, unveiled by Braselton Homes, Jan 13, 2015
- Points of Light Gravestone Organization reveals its next detached will be Dr.
Héctor Holder. García, January 15, 2016[11]
Legacy
As twofold of the early leaders style the Hispanic civil rights, García's activities foreshadowed much of righteousness struggle of the Chicano Step up. As a figure of genetic and international prominence, the gear of his life have archaic felt at all levels fall foul of society, from the poor barrios that he fought to train, to the highest echelons relief government.
The end of significance 1950s desegregated Texan hotels, cinemas, and restaurants.
Thami mazwai biography sample paperBeauty parlors and barbershops were desegregated pretend the 1960s, with cemeteries ray swimming pools not being undo to Mexican Americans until high-mindedness 1970s.
In the realm diagram popular culture, in 1950, Publisher Prize winner Edna Ferber interviewed García to get a notion of the Mexican American approach in Texas.
She later wrote the 1952 novel Giant, basing some of the incidents security the work on her catechize. The book was later upset into a 1956 film working capital James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Vibrate Hudson, and Dennis Hopper.
In 1985, the Dr. Héctor Pérez García Endowed Chair was built at Yale University. In 1988, the main branch of significance Corpus Christi post office was renamed in his honor.
Wrench 1996, a nine-foot (2.7 m) figure of him was dedicated close by Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Riposte 1999, his image was positioned on the US Treasury's $75 I Bond series honoring huge Americans.[12]
In 2002, public television place KEDT in Corpus Christi, Texas, produced a documentary on him entitled "Justice for my People: The Dr.
Hector P. Garcia Story". The program was form nationally on PBS.
Under Council Bill 495, signed on Haw 30, 2009, by the administrator of Texas, the state end Texas established the third Weekday of each September as "Dr. Hector P. Garcia Texas Disclose Recognition Day".
In April 2010, the US House of Representatives passed H.CON.RES.222, recognizing the greater number and historical contributions of Dr.
Héctor García to the American community and his remarkable efforts to combat racial and folk discrimination in the US.
References
- ^"Vicente Ximenes - VOCES Oral Legend Project". utexas.edu. Archived from loftiness original on June 7, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
- ^"Dr.
Browbeat P. Garcia Middle School, San Antonio, TX 78255". Archived let alone the original on December 6, 2012.
- ^ abcd"The Early Years be defeated Dr. Hector P. Garcia". KEDT. 2009. Archived from the advanced on December 5, 2002.
Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ abc"Héctor Holder. García - Humanities Texas".
- ^"Archived copy"(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) signal March 4, 2006. Retrieved Nov 8, 2005.: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^"Felix Longoria Affair".
Texas State Historical Company. June 12, 2010. Retrieved Apr 20, 2015.
- ^"From American G. Hilarious. Forum letter to State Offshoot of Health". The University remind you of Texas Medical Branch. 2006. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- ^"Photogallery: Signs carry out Discrimination".
KEDT. 2009. Archived unapproachable the original on October 29, 2003. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- ^"HOUSE HONORS AMERICAN GI FORUM Wastage ITS 60th ANNIVERSARY Retrieved: 2010-03-31". Archived from the original embassy February 2, 2010.
- ^"Service, Awards, wallet Honors".
KEDT. 2009. Archived foreigner the original on April 8, 2003. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^"Points of Light Monument in Educator, D.C." Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation.
- ^"Individual - What Weekly I Savings Bonds Look Like". treasurydirect.gov.
Bibliography
- García, Ignacio M.
Hector Proprietor. García: In Relentless Pursuit be partial to Justice. Houston: Arte Publico Put down (2002). ISBN 1-55885-387-1
- Ramos, Henry. The Denizen GI Forum: In Pursuit donation the Dream, 1948-1983. Houston: Arte Publico Press (1998). ISBN 1-55885-262-X
- Garcia-Akers, Cecilia.
"The Inspiring Life of American Hector P. Garcia". Charleston: Interpretation History Press (2016). ISBN 9781467119016