H.R. No. 509
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of beloved broadcaster Carlos Garcia,
1-2 Sr., on May 23, 1994, has brought a great loss to the many friends
1-3 and relatives of this distinguished Texan and to the entire
1-4 community of Houston; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Corpus Christi in 1920, Mr. Garcia was a
1-6 patriotic American who answered his country's call to arms during
1-7 World War II, serving as a machine-gunner with the third division
1-8 of the United States Marine Corps; he demonstrated unflinching
1-9 bravery as a participant in some of the war's fiercest battles,
1-10 including Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal, and later went back into
1-11 uniform to train machine-gunners for combat in the Korean War; and
1-12 WHEREAS, After his return to civilian life, Mr. Garcia
1-13 attended the University of Houston and embarked on a successful
1-14 career with Downey Brothers Homes, where he quickly rose to the
1-15 position of vice president and began to make television commercials
1-16 for the company; in 1962, he left the company to start his own
1-17 home-building business, a move that paved the way for the start of
1-18 his successful career in television broadcasting; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Mr. Garcia's creativity, talent, and striking good
1-20 looks had won the attention of viewers throughout the Houston area
1-21 and ultimately of the station managers of KTRK-TV, which in 1964
1-22 hired him to develop and host the city's first Hispanic television
1-23 show, Cita con Trece; this program was later renamed Cita con
1-24 Carlos and moved to KHTV-TV, becoming the second-longest running
2-1 television show produced in Houston; and
2-2 WHEREAS, From 1964 to 1985, Mr. Garcia delighted audiences
2-3 with his unique variety show, which featured local musicians and
2-4 performers as well as rare footage of mariachi and other
2-5 entertainers from Spanish-speaking nations; he also invited local
2-6 officials to appear on his show and interviewed many notable
2-7 national figures, including actor Edward James Olmos, Senator Lloyd
2-8 Bentsen, and President George Bush; and
2-9 WHEREAS, This fine Texan was active in Houston's business
2-10 community as well; a cofounder of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of
2-11 Commerce, Mr. Garcia owned a real estate company and was an
2-12 investor in local restaurants; and
2-13 WHEREAS, In addition to his many professional and civic
2-14 activities, Mr. Garcia was a devoted family man who enjoyed a happy
2-15 and successful marriage with his wife of 49 years, Catarina, and
2-16 who took great pride in his six children, 27 grandchildren, and
2-17 three great-grandchildren; and
2-18 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to know Mr. Garcia will
2-19 not quickly forget the charm, warmth, and compassion he brought to
2-20 each facet of his life, and though his presence is gone from us
2-21 now, his memory will live on in the hearts of all those whose lives
2-22 he touched during his years on this earth; now, therefore, be it
2-23 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
2-24 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Carlos Garcia, Sr.,
2-25 and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
2-26 wife, Catarina Barrera Garcia; to his sons and daughters-in-law,
2-27 Mario and Margaret Garcia, Carlos and Betty Garcia, Bill and
3-1 Claudia Garcia, and Rick and Marianne Garcia; to his daughters and
3-2 son-in-law, Irma George and Irene and Robert McGlynn; and to his
3-3 many other relatives and friends; and, be it further
3-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-5 prepared for the members of his family and that when the house of
3-6 representatives adjourns this day, it do so in honor of Carlos
3-7 Garcia, Sr.