What impact did Hector P Garcia have?

What impact did Hector P Garcia have?

García became known as the “doctor to the barrios,” offering low- and no-cost treatment to impoverished patients. In 1948, García founded the American GI Forum, organizing veterans to fight for educational and medical benefits, and later, against poll taxes and school segregation.

What was Hector P Garcia’s role in ww2?

Military Service Garcia became a part of the Citizens Military Training Corps when he was 15. In 1942, during World War II, he volunteered for the U.S. Army. He served in Europe and North Africa and was awarded the Bronze Star. His military experiences underlined the importance of equal rights to Garcia.

How did Hector P Garcia advance civil rights?

García maintained a connection to Lyndon B. Johnson, whose presidential administration saw the enaction of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. Appointed by President Johnson in 1968, García became the first Mexican American to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. 4.

What was Hector P Garcia legacy?

Dr. Garcia dedicated his life to the practice of medicine, political activism, and public service. His accomplishments can be counted in the dozens of awards he received for these efforts—including the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom—but also in the thousands of lives he made better. Today, Dr.

How did Hector P Garcia deal with prejudice in Texas?

Upon their return to Corpus Christi, Hector and Wanda crashed headlong into the reality that prejudice and discrimination were still alive and well in South Texas. Dr. Hector responded by refusing to accept that the Constitution didn’t apply to everyone.

What role did Hector Garcia play in the 1960 election of John F Kennedy?

In 1960, Dr. García became national coordinator of the Viva Kennedy Campaign, organized to elect Senator John F. Kennedy as president. García is credited with delivering 85 percent of the Hispanic vote to the Democratic party in that close election.

Why did Hector P Garcia found the American GI Forum?

The American GI Forum was created by Dr. Hector P. Garcia because of the discrimination in South Texas towards the Mexican-American with employment, education, and Veteran hospital treatment.

How many Latinos fought in WWII?

Over 500,000 Latinos (including 350,000 Mexican Americans and 53,000 Puerto Ricans) served in WWII.

What was significant about the American GI Forum?

The event is free and open to the public. Garcia founded the American G.I. Forum in 1948 initially to improve veteran benefits and enhance medical attention. But it soon expanded to address educational and vocational training, housing, public education, poll taxation, voter registration, hospitalization and employment.

How did WWII affect the civil rights movement?

World War II spurred a new militancy among African Americans. The NAACP—emboldened by the record of black servicemen in the war, a new corps of brilliant young lawyers, and steady financial support from white philanthropists—initiated major attacks against discrimination and segregation, even in the Jim Crow South.

Who were the founders of the American GI Forum?

Where did Hector open a medical practice?

He established a medical practice in Corpus Christi, Texas. Although his career would take him across the country and even to the White House, he remained deeply committed to his family and his community.

Why was Felix Longoria denied a funeral?

Upon receiving the body, his family attempted to arrange to bury him at the local cemetery, which was segregated and limited to whites. The only funeral home in town denied wake services since Felix was Mexican American.