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This mural, entitled Broken Barriers, honors Dr. Garcia’s life, legacy, and widespread impact.
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In a 1972 meeting at the Corpus Christi airport, Dr. Garcia and vice presidential candidate Sargent Shriver discuss the problems facing Mexican Americans.
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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.
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Dr. Garcia and his sister, Dr. Clotilde Garcia, are pictured together in the office at their Corpus Christi medical practice.
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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.
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President Ronald Reagan is pictured here with Dr. Garcia at the 1983 AGIF convention in El Paso.
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Dr. Garcia’s involvement in presidential campaigns continued into the 1990s. Here, he shakes hands with candidate Bill Clinton.
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A large group of students and parents participate in a 1972 school segregation protest led by Dr. Garcia.
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Dr. Garcia speaks at an event marking his donation to the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Bell Library.
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In 1989, Dr. Garcia visited Private Longoria’s gravesite to honor the man who spurred him to start a movement.
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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.
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In 1965, Dr. Garcia received Panama’s Orden de Vasco Nunez de Balboa award for his exemplary diplomatic work.
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Dr. Garcia proudly wears the Presidential Medal of Freedom in this photograph with his wife Wanda.
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Dr. Garcia shakes hands with President Reagan during his Presidential Medal of Freedom award ceremony at the White House.
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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.
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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.
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Dr. Garcia and his sister Clotilde participate in a march to demand rights for farm workers.
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The AGIF expanded to California in 1956. Here, members gather in Los Angeles for the 11th annual AGIF convention.
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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.
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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.
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The AGIF welcomed the participation of women, who formed auxiliary chapters. Here Dr. Garcia greets Claudina Garza, who established a chapter in Chicago.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This portrait of Dr. Garcia captures many of his proudest accomplishments, including his medical practice, the AGIF, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.