Dr. Hector P. Garcia Digital Exhibit

Items

• St. Joseph's Hospital Interns
  Unable to find an internship at a Texas hospital because of his ethnicity, Dr. Garcia (seated, far right) moved to Omaha, Nebraska for his residency. Here he poses with fellow interns at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia Graduation Portrait
  Dr. Garcia, shown here in a graduation portrait, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin before starting his doctorate work.
• Wanda Garcia with Vice President Al Gore
  Wanda Garcia shakes hands with Vice President Al Gore at a 1998 ceremony to reveal a U.S. Savings Bond honoring the late Dr. Garcia.
• Jose and Faustina Garcia with their Children
  Hector Garcia (standing, far left) appears in this photograph with his parents and six of his siblings. After leaving Mexico, the family settled in Mercedes, Texas.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia and Wanda Fusillo Wedding Day
  Dr. Garcia and Wanda Fusillo married on June 23, 1945 in Naples, Italy. Wanda came from an aristocratic Italian family and had studied Italian literature.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia during World War II
  Dr. Garcia’s medical unit is photographed in North Africa during World War II.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia Military Portrait
  This military portrait of Dr. Garcia was taken during his World War II service. He achieved the ranks of captain in 1942 and major in 1947.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia at the United Nations
  Dr. Garcia sits among other delegates at the United Nations. He was the first Mexican American named to the United States UN delegation.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia Addressing the UN General Assembly
  Dr. Garcia’s address to the UN General Assembly, delivered in Spanish, discussed the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America.
• John F. Kennedy with Viva Kennedy Club Leaders
  Kennedy poses with Dr. Garcia and other leaders of Viva Kennedy clubs. The clubs helped Kennedy win 85 percent of the national Latino vote in the 1960 presidential election.
• Robert F. Kennedy at AGIF Convention, Chicago
  The AGIF’s annual conventions attracted high-profile guests. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy attended the 1964 Chicago convention.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia with President Lyndon B. Johnson
  Dr. Garcia (left), President Johnson, and AGIF chairmen Augustin Flores and Corky Gonzales pose for a photograph outside the White House.
• Dr. Hector P. Garcia's American GI Forum Founder Hat
  Dr. Garcia proudly wore an AGIF founder’s hat for nearly five decades.
• Texas Women's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
  Dr. Clotilde Garcia also received recognition for her promotion of civil and women’s rights. In 1984, she gave this speech when she was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.
• The Mexican American Experience Radio Program
  This audio recording, produced by the University of Texas at Austin, explores the origins and importance of the AGIF.
• National Hispanic University, Medal of Honor Award Ceremony
  In this audio recording, Dr. Garcia accepts an award from the National Hispanic University, speaking at length on the importance of education.
• University of Texas Distinguished Alumnus Award
  In 1989, the University of Texas created this biographical video when it honored Dr. Garcia with its Distinguished Alumnus Award.
• American GI Forum Humanitarian Project, Las Colonias
  In this video clip, Dr. Garcia visits and documents the conditions in one of Texas’ colonias.
• The American GI Forum's 43rd National Convention
  In this video, taken at the AGIF's 43rd national convention, Dr. Garcia discusses the organization's beginnings.
• Letter from Marcelo De Leon and Faribio Elizondo to Dr. Hector P. Garcia
  Dr. Garcia organized a fundraiser to pay for the Longoria family’s travel expenses, ensuring they could attend the funeral at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
• The Legacy of Private Longoria
  This article explores the legacy of the Private Longoria controversy. The incident is considered a milestone in the Mexican American civil rights struggle.
• Hector Garcia Gets Position
  This newspaper article announces Dr. Garcia’s appointment to the USCCR, noting that he would be the first Mexican American to serve on the commission.
• Dr. Garcia Scores Southwest Police
  Dr. Garcia spoke out against the racism he witnessed in his community, calling attention to issues like police discrimination and brutality.
• World Issues Close to Garcia
  This article details how Dr. Garcia’s time at the United Nations gave him new insights into global issues like colonialism and the nuclear arms race.
• Dr. Garcia Pleased with LBJ Meeting
  This newspaper article recounts a 1966 meeting between President Johnson and top Latino leaders, including Dr. Garcia, who called the meeting “a great success.”