To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 615 East Houston Street in San Antonio, Texas, as the "Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse".

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young), the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for bringing this bill to the floor.

I could go over all of Hippo's accomplishments, and I say ``Hippo'' with the greatest affection and respect. Few people ever referred to him by formal title because he would not have it. And if he were alive and we were honoring him in this fashion today, he would probably be a little humbled and embarrassed.

Mr. Speaker, I will keep my remarks brief, but a man of the caliber and decency of Hippo Garcia deserves a couple of minutes to recognize his true contribution. Members have heard of his professional accomplishments, his sacrifices and contributions to the legal profession, to the city and the State and to this country, but I would like to bring out the human side of Hippo, that he was probably one of the most decent human beings one could ever meet.

He was a mentor and second father to many young San Antonio lawyers. I had the privilege of practicing before him when he was a county court law judge, a State district court judge, and then he moved to the Federal level. Many of us sought counsel with Hippo, a brave and wise man. We all had our first trials in Hippo's court. My first nonjury trial, which I lost, my first jury trial, which I also lost, come to think of it; but somehow it was a learning experience for everyone.

In the era of determinative sentences, mandatory guidelines, Hippo was an individual that still had a great deal of compassion and understanding and exercised that kind of discretion in such a responsible manner to make all of us proud.

Many people say the last thing we want is a liberal activist judge. I am here to tell Members that Hippo Garcia was a liberal activist judge. And what I mean by that is, his rulings always exhibited a liberal dose of humanity and decency and compassion. He was an activist, no doubt, and that activism was in the pursuit of justice.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank everyone who made this possible. Of course, the building we are naming is right across from the Alamo, which is a fitting location, so that everyone that passes by there will always remember the great sacrifices of the defenders of the Alamo, and look up and see Hippo's name on the Federal Building and remember the great contributions of a great man by the name of Hipolito Garcia.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3884) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 615 East Houston Street in San Antonio, Texas, as the ``Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3884, introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez), designates the Federal Building and United States Courthouse located at 615 East Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas, as the Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

Judge Garcia was born in San Antonio, Texas, on December 4, 1925, and grew up in a neighborhood a few blocks from the very courthouse that will now bear his name. After serving his country in the Army from 1943 to 1945, Judge Garcia attended St. Mary's University School of Law. He graduated in 1951 and began working for Bexar County, Texas, as the Assistant Criminal Attorney, a position he held until 1963.

After a short time practicing law privately, Judge Garcia served as Judge to the county court in 1964 and State district court until 1974. Judge Garcia's career culminated in 1981 when President Carter appointed him to the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. He sadly passed away on January 16, 2002.

Judge Garcia is remembered as a man who treated everyone with respect and remained humble despite his high position. He served his country in arms and in justice, and he was the first Mexican American to serve as a United States District Judge in the Western District of Texas.

This is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to cosponsor with Representative Gonzalez legislation that designates the Federal building and courthouse located in downtown San Antonio, Texas, as the ``Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

Judge Hipolito Garcia--known to his friends as ``Hippo''--led an amazing life and career. He was born to immigrant parents in downtown San Antonio, just two blocks from the United States Courthouse where he served as a United States District Judge for over 20 years.

Despite the challenges of learning English, and of being one of the few Hispanic students at his high school, he excelled and graduated as the most popular member of his class.

Judge Garcia served our nation in the U.S. Army in World War II. He went on to receive a law degree from St. Mary's University and then became a respected member of the San Antonio legal community.

After serving as a County Court-at-Law judge, and then as a State District Court judge in Bexar County, Judge Garcia was appointed a federal judge in the Western District of Texas. He served on that bench more than twenty years.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Hippo Garcia was a light in our community. He befriended many young attorneys, sharing his time, his knowledge, and his innumerable stories.

Judge Garcia loved the law and our hometown of San Antonio. It is fitting that we should name the federal courthouse in his honor.

I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this legislation.

If my colleagues or constituents want to know more about this remarkable man, I've made a part of the record a eulogy given by a good friend, James R. Nowlin, a federal judge now on senior status. It does strike me that while Judge Nowlin was in good company with Judge Garcia, the reverse was true as well.

[January 19, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3884 is a bill to designate the Federal Building and United States Courthouse located at 615 East Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas, as the Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

The bill was introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez). Judge Garcia was born on December 14, 1925, in San Antonio. He recently died in January, 2002. He was educated at public schools, and in 1951 received his law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law. During World War II, he served in the United States Army.

His professional career included being Deputy District Clerk for Bexar County, Assistant Criminal Attorney, and Judge for the County- Court-at-Law. In 1979, President Carter nominated him for the Federal bench, and he was confirmed by the Senate in 1980.

Judge Garcia was an inspiration and role model. He broke barriers and earned a place in history as the first Mexican American to serve as a United States District Court Judge in the Western District of Texas. Despite his status, he remained humble and was known for treating everyone with dignity and respect.

He was an outstanding public servant who mentored young lawyers, providing sage advice and counsel. Judge Garcia was an exemplary public servant, and this dedication honors his contributions to the citizens of San Antonio and Texas.

I support H.R. 3884 and strongly urge its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez), the author of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3884 which would name the San Antonio Federal Courthouse after the Honorable Hipolito F. Garcia, better known to San Antonians as Hippo Garcia.

He was a native of San Antonio, and entered high school unable to speak English. Through hard work and determination, he became the first Mexican American to be named a Federal judge for the Western District. After graduating from high school, he served in the Army and on his return to civilian life, he earned a law degree.

With his diploma in hand, he launched his career as assistant district attorney. Years later, Judge Garcia was recognized by President Carter who nominated him to the Federal bench in 1980. Following his confirmation by the United States Senate, he served as a U.S. District Judge for the Western District.

Judge Garcia, better known as Hippo Garcia, dedicated more than 50 years of his life pursuing the cause of justice and inspired many people along his path. Over the course of his extraordinary life, Judge Garcia blazed new trails for Americans of Hispanic descent and brought incomparable integrity, fairness and intelligence to his courtroom. He is a highly respected jurist who has earned this permanent honor.

I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation as we commemorate his achievements, Judge Hippo Garcia.