TITLE: Celebrating July 27, 2013, as Gus Garcia Day.

SUMMARY: Celebrating July 27, 2013, as Gus Garcia Day.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to join the citizens of Houston and Texans across the state in celebrating July 27, 2013, as Gus Garcia Day; and WHEREAS, Gus Garcia Day honors the late Gustavo C. "Gus" Garcia, an attorney whose work on an array of legal cases played a vital role in advancing Tejano civil rights; and WHEREAS, A native of Laredo, Mr. Garcia was born on July 27, 1915; he earned his legal degree from The University of Texas School of Law and was a legal advisor to the League of United Latin American Citizens before serving in the military during World War II; and WHEREAS, After the war, he turned his attention to a variety of cases involving public schools, notably Delgado v. Bastrop ISD,in which the court held that the segregation of Mexican American children in Texas public schools was illegal; he also served as an attorney in the Felix Longoria Affair and helped contract negotiations to secure the rights of workers in the United States-Mexico Bracero Program; and WHEREAS, Mr. Garcia is best known for his work on Hernandez v. State of Texas,in which he became the first Mexican American to win a case before the United States Supreme Court; this landmark case held that Mexican Americans and all other racial groups had equal protection under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution; and WHEREAS, Gus Garcia had a profound impact on civil rights in Texas, and it is truly fitting that a day be set aside to honor his memory and his many contributions to our state; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life and legacy of Gustavo C. Garcia and extend to all those associated with the First Annual Gus Garcia Day best wishes for a memorable event; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special occasion. Garcia, Van de Putte President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on July 19, 2013.