2 Jun 2005
Civil Rights Activist Honored for Role in Freedom of Education
DALLAS– Dallas Independent School District officials, including General Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and Trustee Jerome Garza, were joined today by community and city representatives for the groundbreaking ceremony for Hector P. Garcia Middle School, 700 East 8th Street.
Dr. Garcia was a civil rights activist and the founder of the American GI Forum. He fought for school desegregation and equal workplace opportunity for more than 40 years.
"The legacy of Dr. Garcia is remembered here today," said Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. "He committed his life to helping people overcome adversity and inspired them to rise above their circumstances through education."
Dr. Garcia came to the United States with his parents in 1917. The Garcia children were encouraged by their emigrant father to "make good" in American society despite the discrimination they endured. After Dr. Garcia obtained his medical degree, he went on to serve in World War II and later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He died in 1996.
The middle school will be a three-story, 176,000-square-foot building. Designed to accommodate 1,224 students, the school will include: academic and special education classes, science labs, kitchen, cafeteria, media center, gymnasium and fields, administrative offices and a 450-seat
auditorium. The school, which is located in the North Oak Cliff area, will open in the fall of 2006.
Perkins & Will is the architect for Garcia Middle School, Satterfield & Pontikes is the builder and DMJM Management is the program manager.
In January 2002, DISD passed the largest education bond program in the history of Texas. The $1.37 billion program will mean 21 new schools, almost 60 additions that include early childhood additions to present schools, and renovations to nearly every campus in the district. Contractors are working on more than 140 school facilities, including new schools, additions to schools, and renovations to schools. For more information on the bond program, go to www.dallasisd.org/bond.
Upcoming groundbreakings are:
Thursday, June 4 Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary School
Thursday, June 16 Larry G. Smith Elementary School
Tuesday, June 21 Felix G. Botello Elementary School
Thursday, June 23 Jerry R. Junkins Elementary School