PRESS RELEASE: Judge Reynaldo Garza’s Legacy Honored at Library of Congress by Congressman Filemon Vela

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Filemon Vela was the keynote speaker at an event titled "A Tribute to the Life & Legacy of the Hon. Reynaldo G. Garza: A Jurist and a Hispanic American Pioneer,” held at the Library of Congress’ James Madison Building.  This was the Library of Congress’ inaugural event to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month.

Reynaldo Garza was born in Brownsville, Texas.  He became the country’s first Mexican-American federal judge when President John F. Kennedy appointed him to the Southern District of Texas bench in 1961.  This gave Brownsville its first permanent federal judge.  Judge Garza presided over numerous high profile civil rights cases including Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. International Longshoremen's Association and Medrano v. Allee.  In 1979, Judge Garza was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals—a position he would hold until his death in 2004.

“Judge Garza was a remarkable person and served our country as a distinguished jurist for 43 years,” said Congressman Filemon Vela.  “It was an honor for me to be invited to speak at the Library of Congress and share my stories of Judge Garza. His appointment to the federal bench—making him the first Mexican American federal judge—was an inspiration to all those in South Texas and allowed others to follow in his footsteps.  Today, we remembered the Judge’s contribution to our country and his legacy of public service in South Texas."