Hector Garcia: A Pioneer In Civil Rights And Medicine (1914-1996)

Hector Garcia was more than just a doctor; he was a beacon of hope for many Mexican Americans. His life story is filled with challenges, triumphs, and an unwavering commitment to fighting for civil rights. Born in Mexico and later moving to the United States, he faced numerous obstacles but managed to break barriers in education and medicine while advocating for the rights of veterans and the Mexican American community.

Who Was Hector Garcia?

Hector Garcia moved from Mexico to the United States with his family when he was a toddler. Despite facing prejudice and quota systems in school, he was able to obtain a medical degree. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army, and after the war, he settled in Corpus Christi, Texas. There, Garcia started a medical practice while also embarking upon a career of civil rights activism after witnessing the difficulties Mexican American veterans faced in accessing benefits. In 1948, he founded the American G.I. Forum to advocate for these veterans. This organization grew to have chapters across the country and remains active to this day, working on causes such as school desegregation and eliminating the poll tax in Texas. Garcia was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984.

Early Life and Education

Hector Perez Garcia was born in Llera, Tamaulipas, Mexico, on January 17, 1914, to Jose Garcia and Faustina Perez Garcia, both of whom were teachers. The violence of the Mexican Revolution prompted his family to leave Mexico and legally move to Texas in 1918 when Garcia was only 3 years old. He was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1946, marking a significant milestone in his journey.

Garcia grew up in Mercedes, Texas, where he excelled in school, eventually becoming his high school valedictorian in 1932. His motivation to succeed was fueled by a teacher's comment that "no Mexican will ever make an 'A' in my class." This kind of prejudice drove Garcia to prove his worth.

After attending Edinburg Junior College, he transferred to the University of Texas, graduating in 1936. He then enrolled at the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston, where he faced discrimination as the only Latino in his class. Despite the odds, he persevered through his education.

Due to the prevailing discrimination, Garcia found it challenging to secure a residency position in Texas. Instead, he became a resident in Omaha, Nebraska, at St. Joseph's Hospital at Creighton University.

Military Service

Garcia became involved with the Citizens Military Training Corps at the age of 15. In 1942, during World War II, he volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving in Europe and North Africa. His bravery and dedication earned him the Bronze Star.

His military experiences highlighted the pressing need for equal rights, and in 1947, he raised concerns about whether some Mexican American casualties during the war were due to inadequate education in segregated schools. He noted that "some of those lives might not have been lost" had they been "better equipped and trained to defend themselves."

American G.I. Forum

After World War II, Garcia settled in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he established a medical practice and joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). While LULAC aimed to combat discrimination, Garcia felt more decisive actions were needed to assist Mexican American veterans struggling to access Veterans Administration services like the G.I. Bill, home loans, and medical treatment. In March 1948, he founded the American G.I. Forum to directly address these issues.

In January 1949, Garcia took a significant step by reaching out to the media and influential figures, including then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, after a funeral director in Three Rivers, Texas, denied the family of Private Felix Longoria the use of a chapel due to racial discrimination. Johnson arranged for Longoria to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, making this incident, known as the Longoria Affair, a pivotal moment in the fight for Mexican American civil rights and showcasing the power of the American G.I. Forum.

The motto of the American G.I. Forum was "Education is our Freedom, and Freedom Should be Everybody's Business." The organization participated in various civil rights battles, advocating for desegregation in schools and successfully challenging discriminatory practices in the legal system. They campaigned against the poll tax in Texas and organized voter registration drives.

The American G.I. Forum aimed to improve working conditions for both documented and undocumented individuals. However, it supported some border restrictions, arguing that the presence of Mexican laborers led to reduced wages for Mexican Americans.

Political Career

Garcia was hopeful that electing John F. Kennedy as president would advance civil rights. He served as a coordinator for "Viva Kennedy" clubs during the 1960 presidential campaign. The political influence of Latino voters was evident when the Kennedy-Johnson ticket won Texas by a narrow margin of just 46,257 votes.

Although Kennedy appointed Garcia to work on a defense treaty with the Federation of the West Indies, Garcia was ultimately disappointed that the administration did not prioritize Hispanic issues. Nevertheless, he continued to support Johnson in the 1964 election through "Viva Johnson" clubs.

Under Johnson's presidency, Garcia was appointed as an alternate delegate to the United Nations. In 1967, he made history by speaking to the General Assembly in Spanish, becoming the first U.S. delegate to address that body in a language other than English. Garcia was also appointed to the United States Commission on Civil Rights and later served on the U.S. Circuit Judge Nominating Commission for the Western Fifth Circuit Panel during President Jimmy Carter's administration.

Family Life

Garcia met Wanda Fusillo of Naples during his time in the military, and they married in 1945. Together, they had three daughters and a son, though their son tragically died in an accident during his teenage years. Garcia's family played an essential role in his life, providing support throughout his various endeavors.

Contributions and Legacy

Garcia's contributions extended beyond civil rights and political activism; he was also a dedicated physician who treated numerous patients, regardless of their ability to pay. He inspired the character of a Mexican American doctor in Edna Ferber's novel Giant (1952), symbolizing the impact of his work.

On March 26, 1984, Garcia became the first Mexican American recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom when President Ronald Reagan presented the honor to him. In 1990, he was named to the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II, recognizing his significant contributions to society.

Garcia passed away at the age of 82 in Corpus Christi on July 26, 1996, after battling stomach cancer. In 2010, a Congressional resolution was passed to honor his legacy in civil rights advocacy. Numerous institutions, including schools, a library, and a post office, have been named in his honor, ensuring that his contributions to society will not be forgotten. A public television documentary titled Justice for My People: The Dr. Hector P. Garcia Story was released in 2002, and the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation was established by one of his daughters in 2012.

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