Robert Garcia

Congressman Garcia served as a Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and led the group in creating the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Mr. Garcia began his ascent in public office with election to the New York State Assembly in 1965, and then moved up to the New York State Senate in a special election in 1967. He is believed to be the first Hispanic on the East Coast to have served in a State Senate seat. There, before winning his Congressional seat, Mr. Garcia rose to the position of Deputy Minority Leader in charge of all floor action. Mr. Garcia also served his country from 1950 to 1953 in the United States Army and concluded his military career in the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea, where he was awarded several battle stars. Mr. Garcia is a Senior Advisor in the Washington office of Venable. He represents clients on issues pending before Congress, specializing in urban, financial, communications, tax and housing matters. Through the U.S. State Department, Mr. Garcia also serves as an electoral observer for the Organization of American States and has participated in OAS Electoral Observation Missions in Peru and Panama. A Representative from New York; born in New York, Bronx County, N.Y., January 9, 1933; attended the public schools; graduated from Haaren High School, Bronx, 1950; attended City College of New York, 1957; Community College of New York, 1957; RCA Institute, 1957; served in the United States Army during the Korean War with the Third Infantry Division, 1950-1953; computer engineer, 1957-1965; served in the New York assembly, 1965-1966; New York senate, 1966-1978; deputy minority leader, 1975-1978; delegate to Democratic National Convention, 1976; registered as a Democrat but elected as a Republican-Liberal to the Ninety-fifth Congress, by special election, February 14, 1978, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Herman Badillo; resumed prior party affiliation as a Democrat, effective February 21, 1978; reelected to the six succeeding Congresses and served until his resignation January 7, 1990 (February 14, 1978-January 7, 1990); is a resident of Bronx, N.Y.