The Inspiring Life of Texan Héctor P. García--A Book Talk by Cecilia García Akers
Save the Date: Friday, May 20, 2016 at 12:00 PM
The Inspiring Life of Texan Héctor P. García--A Book Talk by Cecilia García Akers
Venue: Whittall Pavilion, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress | 10 First Street, SE | Washington, D.C.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.
The Veterans History Project at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress is pleased to collaborate with the Library’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity Programs and the Librarian’s Hispanic Initiative to host a book talk with Dr. Héctor P. García’s daughter, Cecilia García Akers, who will share her memories and discuss his legacy.
Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Mexican-born American civil rights pioneer Dr. Héctor P. García is remembered as a father, physician, surgeon and tireless champion for equality, education and voting rights. In 1948, García, a World War II veteran, founded the American G.I. Forum, a group aimed at promoting veterans’ rights. His role in the American civil rights movement resulted in important victories in Texas and throughout the nation.
For event info, please contact Christy Chason at 202-707-4916 or [email protected].
Request ADA accommodations five days in advance at: 202-707-6362 or [email protected].
‘A Daughter’s Perspective’ on Dr. Hector P. Garcia Showcased in New Book
A daughter’s perspective of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, founder of the American GI Forum and a Mexican-American civil rights leader, is how author Cecilia Garcia Akers described her new book, “The Inspiring Life of Texan Hector P. Garcia.”
Akers read from the book and signed copies at a reception and book signing Wednesday, April 13, at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Mary and Jeff Bell Library.
Hector P. Garcia (1914-1996) was a Corpus Christi physician who founded the American GI Forum in 1948 to organize veterans to fight for educational and medical benefits. The University’s Library exhibits several of his letters and photos as part of its special collections. The Garcia papers represent one of the most valuable resources in existence on the Mexican-American experience during the last half of the 20th Century.
Akers shared the inscription to her father and read from a section telling of the family’s visit to Washington, D.C. when Dr. Garcia received the Medal of Freedom.
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"The importance of education, with my father's input and the doctor's input, I was able to graduate from the University of Texas," one woman says as she waits to get her copy of "The Inspiring Life of Texan Hector P. Garcia" signed, referring to what an incredible motivator he was.
Daughter of late American GI Forum founder hosts book signing
Snakes in the mailbox. The death of a son and brother. A man's jitters before meeting the president of the United States.
These are the stories not found in any historical text on the legacy of Dr. Hector P. Garcia.
But Cecilia Garcia Akers knew they were stories that needed to be shared with the world, especially the community her father worked tirelessly to serve.
"He's a person who's a historical significance but people don't really look at the effect on his family," Garcia Akers said. "On the personal side — his health, finances. I was able to touch on that in the book to understand the sacrifices that he made and his family made for him to do what he was able to do."