As 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, I want to share the many events that we participated in for this month with so many friends and colleagues. We are continuing to press forward with all our initiatives. May God continue to bless our efforts. Special thanks to everyone who assisted us.

#BeLikeHector

@TAMUCC / Dr. Hector P. Garcia’s legacy lives on at the Island University. Happy to celebrate Dr. Garcia with Cecilia Garcia Akers and our Islander team. Congrats to fellow alumna Kristeen Baum  who gave a fabulous presentation on how Dr. Garcia’s advocacy for food insecurity in the 1970s is still relevant today! Images courtesy of TAMUCC

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From the Office of Texas Senator Juan Chuy Hinojosa

Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a Mexican-American civil rights leader who founded the American GI forum and fought for the rights of Hispanics in our country. In 2009, I authored and passed legislation designating the third Wednesday in September as Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day through Senate Bill 495. The bill authorized the observance of the day by schools and state agencies to honor Dr. Garcia and teach our younger generations about his legacy.

All Texans should remember Dr. Hector P. Garcia, an extraordinary man who dedicated his life to public service and the equal treatment of all. Dr. Garcia courageously fought for the civil rights of veterans and Hispanics, breaking down the barriers they faced to education, health care, fair labor practices, and housing. He demonstrated leadership and sacrifice in his fight to protect our liberties and ensure that all Americans are treated with dignity and respect.

Dr. Garcia embodies the spirit of selflessness and public service. As a private American citizen, he exercised his constitutional rights to elevate awareness about the plight of neglected Americans. As a physician, he provided access to medical care to underserved communities. As a soldier, he demonstrated valor and sacrifice as he fought to protect our liberties. Dr. Hector P. Garcia never wavered in his commitment to the United States Constitution and equality for all.

Dr. Garcia was the first Mexican-American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our country's highest civilian honor, and earned a Bronze Star and six battle stars for his military service. He served as an advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter and served as the first Hispanic on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. To further honor his service and legacy, I also passed legislation naming a portion of State Highway 286 in Corpus Christi, the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Highway.

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Cecilia GarcIa Akers : I attended a Holy Mass at Incarnate Word Academy this Wednesday in celebration of Dr. Hector P Garcia Texas State Recognition Day. I was gifted this beautiful painting, signed by every student, and many hand made cards. I was moved to tears. I never expect anything in return, just trying to help students in need. Needless to say, all the tears, work and battles are well worth it. My deepest appreciation to Incarnate Word Academy.

Images from Incarnate Word Academy Mass celebration honoring Dr. Hector P. Garcia. We donated $2000 for tuition assistance.

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The Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation is proud to salute Hispanic Heritage Month.

Please click the link.

We are so excited to be presenting in collaboration with the American GI Forum on September 28 at San Antonio College at 10:00. Please join us.                                                                  P

We are so excited to celebrate the Dr. Hector P. Garcia State Recognition Day at Del Mar College

on September 18, at 11:30 am. Please DM me on FaceBook if you would like to attend.

Thank you Moses Estrada and the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Founders Chapter of the American GI Forum.

We are so honored to be celebrating this annual Holy Mass on September 18 at 9:00 am.

The Dr. Hector P Garcia Texas State Recognition Day at Incarnate Word Academy. Please join us.

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath announced an update to the Texas curriculum that will include the accomplishments of Dr. Hector P. Garcia. State Representative Todd Hunter, Texas Senator Morgan La Mantia and Cecilia Garcia Akers, President of the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Foundation and others worked hard to make this long overdue acknowledgment a reality. 

Our local media were on hand for this important announcement. Please click the links to view their coverage.

KiiiTV coverage

https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/local/texas-education-agency-discusses-rigorous-curriculum-initiative/503-dfb0451c-3198-408c-ba8b-dd917023337f?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3aGi3DK-H32j-Ul6dqj0FEWVkmQkr3xbMO6ILlIk5ouMXA--3co8D2Jig_aem_AQP64vezIiETSbgYzdzDcZa0b3YSEFUPX7x_KVAmMtPaUAP0c82uOPICkEMorsqRCdG29Y_BDHumMcypZKNbSfgz

KRIS TV coverage

https://www.kristv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/corpus-christi/tea-unveils-new-state-textbook-that-weaves-corpus-christi-history-into-it?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1f3O4YiCystqSRz7SfL6srNemkGX1OMO4vl-TvIEo21uCsvZ1I1rGls2M_aem_AQPuomFm--X9h3cg8ITJzqGALAX8dDWFCst3B8GUKDwIh_3djWXWOTwWBrXzS7Ak_oWY0ReGKMEm3wJeFJIXO_1Q

Caller Times coverage

https://www.caller.com/story/news/education/2024/06/09/pending-approval-new-open-texas-textbooks-feature-south-texas-icons/74019558007/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1-rSP-wiB__SI3xF8cVpCOTKRwiRPgN_Iy8QPHeVY5PiH1GxgeyikIKe4_aem_AV4QrKOHcBq2svsAmozPMa0yxzOaBpstZw2w6dwSawbNuxT4IbLt6Se1yChigTUz_H8n14zb0oVCTwLeqMwDcgT1

This is a big step in improving our children's education in the State of Texas! 

The Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation was proud to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Arts and Media Building at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Among it's many functions, this state of the art building will also be the new home of the historic Dr. Hector P. Garcia archives. Stay tuned for more exciting news regarding this long awaited and much needed addition that will benefit both students and our community.

Click this link to view the groundbreaking ceremony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCGcUQX1qIA

The Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation is excited about the groundbreaking of the new Arts and Media Building to be constructed at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. We have only been advocating for this for the last 10 years.

The Dr Hector P Garcia Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Kelly Marie Miller President and CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is our Keynote Speaker for our Signature Luncheon to be held on January 24, 2025 at the Omni Hotel Corpus Christi. Please plan to join us.

Jim and I were honored to attend the first annual Gala of the Miguel Hernandez, Jr. Chapter of the American GI Forum of Texas, in San Antonio. I received special recognition, the Flag of Valor Award. It gives me pride to see that there are finally members of the organization my beloved father founded in 1948, that want to return it to its days of glory. Special thanks to Lawrence Romo and Leona Bailey- Flores for your friendship. 

We are taking applications for the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Fellowship! This application is open to independent researchers, graduate students and faculty! It's easier than ever to apply, too so don't wait! Applications due April 15.

The H. Boyd Hall Diamond Award was presented to Jim and Cecilia Akers for their dedication to achieve equity and social inclusion by advancing practices that expand human rights and accelerate the well being of all persons. So very grateful and appreciative of being recognized in this manner.

We are so honored and excited to announce that UTMB Galveston has graciously donated this historical exhibit to the Dr. Hector P Garcia Memorial Foundation. We plan to take it everywhere when we travel. I am so humbled by the University's generosity.

Exciting News! Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will soon commence construction of a state-of-the-art Arts and Media Building. The new facility will provide an improved environment for music, theatre, and dance education. The new Arts and Media Building will also house a display honoring civil rights advocate and Corpus Christi icon Dr. Hector P Garcia.

https://www.tamucc.edu/news/2024/02/tamu-cc-set-to-build-state-of-the-art-facility-designed-to-showcase-music-theatre-and-dance-programs.php?fbclid=IwAR3gk8L5KQV3QKvE4kecjqQAabL8yqM4GE4M2KwVDCxIeDCCzkgoYihSb9Y

I hope that you enjoy my message for our 2024 Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation's Legacy Luncheon Celebration. Plans are underway for 2025. This was a very touching and beautiful celebration. I hope you join us next year. Thanks to all who supported us.

The Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation's 2024 Luncheon Brochure Cover. Very timely and appropriate. Honoring our Veterans and their families this year.