Dr. Hector P. Garcia Digital Exhibit

Items

• Broken Barriers by Martha Oberle Rodriguez
  This mural, entitled Broken Barriers, honors Dr. Garcia’s life, legacy, and widespread impact.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia with Sargent Shriver
  In a 1972 meeting at the Corpus Christi airport, Dr. Garcia and vice presidential candidate Sargent Shriver discuss the problems facing Mexican Americans.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia with Medal of Honor Recipients
  Dr. Garcia wanted the government to recognize the sacrifice and bravery of soldiers from minority groups. In this photograph, he poses with Latino Medal of Honor recipients.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia and Dr. Clotilde Garcia
  Dr. Garcia and his sister, Dr. Clotilde Garcia, are pictured together in the office at their Corpus Christi medical practice.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia at Protest
  In this 1977 photograph, Dr. Garcia and his sister Clotilde protest the murder of Jose Campos Torres and the light sentences his police assailants received.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia with President Ronald Reagan
  President Ronald Reagan is pictured here with Dr. Garcia at the 1983 AGIF convention in El Paso.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia with Bill Clinton
  Dr. Garcia’s involvement in presidential campaigns continued into the 1990s. Here, he shakes hands with candidate Bill Clinton.
• School Segregation Protest
  A large group of students and parents participate in a 1972 school segregation protest led by Dr. Garcia.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia Speaking at Bell Library
  Dr. Garcia speaks at an event marking his donation to the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Bell Library.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia at Felix Longoria Gravesite
  In 1989, Dr. Garcia visited Private Longoria’s gravesite to honor the man who spurred him to start a movement.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia and Family
  Dr. Garcia is photographed after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House with Wanda, daughters Cecilia, Susie, and Daisy, and Cecilia’s husband Jim Akers.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia Receiving Award from Panama
  In 1965, Dr. Garcia received Panama’s Orden de Vasco Nunez de Balboa award for his exemplary diplomatic work.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia and Wanda Garcia
  Dr. Garcia proudly wears the Presidential Medal of Freedom in this photograph with his wife Wanda.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  Dr. Garcia shakes hands with President Reagan during his Presidential Medal of Freedom award ceremony at the White House.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia with the USCCR
  Dr. Garcia (far left) meets with fellow members of the USCCR. The watchdog commission investigated allegations of discrimination based on color, race, religion, or national origin.
• Members of the West Indies Delegation Meet with President John F. Kennedy
  In 1961, President Kennedy appointed Dr. Garcia to a delegation that attended a treaty signing with the West Indies. In this photograph Kennedy meets with the delegates in the Oval Office.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia at Protest March
  Dr. Garcia and his sister Clotilde participate in a march to demand rights for farm workers.
• AGIF Convention, Los Angeles
  The AGIF expanded to California in 1956. Here, members gather in Los Angeles for the 11th annual AGIF convention.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia and Family
  Dr. Garcia’s family attended many American GI Forum (AGIF) functions. Here, he poses with Cecilia, Hector Jr., Wanda, and Daisy at the AGIF’s 1959 convention.
• AGIF Flag Ceremony
  In 1957, a Colorado AGIF chapter peacefully resolved a racist incident when it held a ceremony to reconcile with the offending organization. The incident epitomized the AGIF’s thoughtful approach to conflict.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia with AGIF Auxiliary Member Claudina Garza
  The AGIF welcomed the participation of women, who formed auxiliary chapters. Here Dr. Garcia greets Claudina Garza, who established a chapter in Chicago.
• Excerpts from Lea y Escriba by Jose Garcia
  Dr. Garcia’s father, Jose Garcia, wrote the children’s book Lea y Escriba, which translates to “Read and Write.” Jose dedicated much of his time to educating his own children.
• AGIF Members Present Check to Guadalupe Vera and Family
  AGIF members present a check to the family of Guadalupe Vera. Direct support was one of many ways AGIF chapters aided the poor in their communities.
• Hernandez v. Texas Attorneys
  The AGIF provided crucial support for a 1954 Supreme Court case, Hernandez v. Texas, which struck down legislation that prevented Mexican Americans from serving on grand juries. The attorneys in the case are shown here.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia Portrait
  This portrait of Dr. Garcia captures many of his proudest accomplishments, including his medical practice, the AGIF, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.