HCON 222 RFS 
Whereas Dr. Hector Garcia fought in World War II, specifi-
cally in North Africa and Italy, attained the rank of 
Major, and was awarded the Bronze Star with six battle 
stars; 
Whereas once the Army discovered he was a physician, Dr. 
Hector Garcia was asked to practice his profession by 
treating his fellow soldiers; 
Whereas Dr. Hector Garcia moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, 
after the war, and opened a medical practice; rarely 
charged his indigent patients, and was recognized as a 
passionate and dedicated physician; 
Whereas he first became known in south Texas for his public 
health messages on the radio with topics ranging from in-
fant diarrhea to tuberculosis; 
Whereas Dr. Hector Garcia continued his public service and 
advocacy and became founder of the American G.I. 
Forum, a Mexican-American veterans association, which 
initiated countless efforts on behalf of Americans to ad-
vance opportunities in health care, veterans benefits, and 
civil rights equality; 
Whereas his civil rights movement would then grow to also 
combat discrimination in housing, jobs, education, and 
voting rights; 
Whereas President Kennedy appointed Dr. Hector Garcia a 
member of the American Treaty Delegation for the Mu-
tual Defense Agreement between the United States and 
the Federation of the West Indies; 
Whereas in 1967, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Dr. 
Hector Garcia as alternate ambassador to the United Na-
tions where he gave the first speech by an American be-
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HCON 222 RFS 
fore the United Nations in a language other than 
English; 
Whereas Dr. Hector Garcia was named member of the Texas 
Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on 
Civil Rights; 
Whereas President Reagan presented Dr. Hector Garcia the 
Nation’s highest civilian award, the Medal of Freedom, in 
1984 for meritorious service to his country, the first 
Mexican-American to receive this recognition; and 
Whereas Pope John Paul II recognized him with the Pontif-
ical Equestrian Order of Pope Gregory the Great: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) encourages— 
(A) teachers of primary schools and sec-
ondary schools to launch educational campaigns 
to inform students about the lifetime of accom-
plishments by Dr. Hector Garcia; and 
(B) all people of the United States to edu-
cate themselves about the legacy of Dr. Hector 
Garcia; and 
(2) recognizes the leadership and historical con-
tributions of Dr. Hector Garcia to the Hispanic 
community and his remarkable efforts to combat ra-
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cial and ethnic discrimination in the United States 
of America. 
Passed the House of Representatives April 15, 2010. 
Attest: 
LORRAINE C. MILLER, 
Clerk. 
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