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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The residents of South Texas lost an admired |
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attorney and civic leader with the passing of David Garcia on July |
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4, 2012, at the age of 54; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Mr. Garcia grew up in |
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Detroit; he learned the value of hard work at an early age, and he |
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continued to hold a job on the late shift at a steel foundry even |
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while attending the University of Michigan on a scholarship; after |
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completing his undergraduate studies in economics, he earned his |
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law degree at The University of Texas at Austin and later settled in |
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the Rio Grande Valley, home to many generations of his family; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Garcia was deeply devoted to the cause of social |
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justice; he defended the rights of farmworkers in a case that |
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reached the United States Supreme Court when he was just 26 years |
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old, and he was instrumental in the passage of legislation |
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increasing the wages and benefits provided to agricultural |
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laborers; in addition, he represented the League of United Latin |
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American Citizens in an antidiscrimination lawsuit that led to |
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greater representation for minorities on the board of the Sharyland |
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Independent School District; in another important initiative, he |
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filed suit against insurance companies to help more than 1,000 |
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families whose homes were contaminated by mold; and |
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WHEREAS, Renowned for his generosity, Mr. Garcia served |
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hundreds of clients on a pro bono basis, and he used the fruits of |
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his success to benefit others, investing in neighborhoods |
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throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley and providing financial |
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support and encouragement to a number of aspiring attorneys; he |
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also traveled to many impoverished areas of Africa on mission trips |
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that offered financial, medical, and educational assistance to |
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those in need; in all of his endeavors, he enjoyed the love and |
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support of his wife, Irma, and his children, Bianca, Ricco, and |
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Samuel; and |
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WHEREAS, Dedicated to his family and his community, David |
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Garcia made a meaningful difference in the lives of his loved ones |
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and fellow citizens alike, and although he left this world far too |
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soon, his contributions will remain a source of inspiration for all |
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who had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of David Garcia and |
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extend sincere condolences to his loved ones: to his wife, Irma |
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Garcia; to his children, Bianca, Ricco, and Samuel Garcia; to his |
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parents, Juan Garcia and Lucinda Cantu; to his sisters, Clara |
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Garcia, Ester Pacheco, and Patricia Lopez; and to his other |
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relatives and many friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of David |
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Garcia. |