Photogallery: Dr. Garcia throughout the Years

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Returning from World War II in 1946, Dr. Garcia settled in Corpus Christi, Texas to begin his private medical practice.

Dr. Garcia's patients were the poorest of the poor, as represented by this mother and five children seen in Garcia's office during the early 1950's.

From the late 1950's: Dr. Garcia in his medical office.

Dr. Hector P. Garcia in the late 1950's. This image appears on the face of the U.S. Treasury $75 I Bond series honoring great Americans.

Dr. Garcia in the mid-1950s.

In 1953, the Texas State Chapter of the American GI Forum held this meeting at the Baker Hotel.

From the late 1950's: Dr. Garcia speaks to a GI Forum Auxiliary group.

Viewers in Corpus Christi saw this 1963 televised appearance by Dr. Garcia and members of the GI Forum. The program was a tribute to assassinated President John F. Kennedy.

Dr. Garcia speaking in the mid-1960's at an outdoors American GI Forum event.

Dr. Garcia speaking in the 1960's

Dr. Garcia in a lighter moment in his office around 1966.

In 1968, Dr. Garcia participated in a Farm workers march to protest the below minimum wage scale paid to agricultural laborers.

In this photo from the 1968 Farm workers march, Dr. Garcia is speaking into the microphone. His sister, Dr. Cleo Garcia, is on the far right wearing a hat.

In 1968, Dr. Garcia expressed his frustration at lack of action by the State of Texas and the Johnson administration at this meeting of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He said, "Texas is not worth fighting for. We fight for our country. This state has abused and exploited Mexican-Americans for more than one hundred years. It is time for immediate action. You people are the foreigners, this is our state, but you are welcome."

Garcia speaking from a podium in the mid-1970's.

Speaking at an Operation Understanding meeting in mid-1970's.

In 1972, Dr. Hector P. Garcia and seventeen young Mexican-American students are arrested at a sit-in protesting the lack of cooperation of the Corpus Christi School Board in eradicating de facto segregation in the school district.

Dr. Garcia is led out of the Corpus Christi School Board by a police officer. CCISD Superintendent Dana Williams follows.

Following his release from jail that same night, Dr. Garcia and the Mexican-American community rally on the steps of the Corpus Christi Police department. After 5 years battling in and out of the courts an integration plan is produced.

During this late 1970's protest, Dr. Garcia is seen standing next to his sister, Dr. Cleo Garcia.

In 1987, Dr. Garcia speaks at a community meeting against making English the official language of the United States.

In the late 1980's and early 1990's Dr. Garcia received many awards and honors. Wearing the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he is seen here with his wife, Mrs. Wanda Fusillo Garcia.

In 1991, Corpus Christi State University's first "Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree" was presented to Dr. Garcia.

During the early 1990's, Dr. Garcia would frequently recite the history of the American GI Forum to young people at community events.