IF) was founded on March 26,1948 in Corpus Christi, Texas by Dr. Hector Perez Garcia, an Army veteran medical doctor. Dr. Garcia returned from World War II proud of his accomplishments and eager to participate in the American Dream. To his dismay, he witnessed and experienced what Hispanic servicemen across the country were encountering in the pursuit of the American Dream—Deeply rooted prejudice. With nothing more than his determination to overcome these injustices, he successfully formed the American GI Forum, a formidable and patriotic organization. Through it, he helped break down many of the barriers all Hispanic Americans faced in a country that embraced the principles of freedom and justice, but only offered them to a select few.
His leadership and his work led to several high-level appointments by U.S. Presidents including an Ambassadorship to the United Nations. On March 26, 1984, President Ronald Reagan awarded him the nation’s highest civilian medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It was an honor worthy of a man who knows very keenly the meaning of freedom.
Dr. Hector P. Garcia passed away on July 26, 1996, but many reminders of his legacy exist for future generations to remember his work. A statue of Dr. Hector P. Garcia stands on the campus at Texas A&M, Corpus Christi, in a plaza named in his honor. It was unveiled a few weeks before his death. Many schools, post offices, government buildings and libraries throughout the state and country bear his name. Most recently a National Guard Armory was re-named in his honor. Every 10 years, since 1948 the National Convention of the American GI Forum convenes and is hosted by the Hector P. Garcia Chapter of Corpus Christi, Texas, the first chapter and the birthplace of the American GI Forum of Texas and of the United States.
The AGIF was originally dedicated to addressing problems of discrimination and inequities endured by Hispanic veterans. Through the efforts of many of the organization’s early leadership, the AGIF grew to other states and has chapters throughout the United States. Though predominantly Hispanic, the AGIF is a fully diverse organization serving all veterans and their families.
In 1998 on the 50th anniversary of the organization, the U.S. Congress Chartered the American GI Forum as a Veteran’s Family Organization. The AGIF has maintained a leadership role in many communities and has gained respect among all ethnic groups.
Organization
The AGIF has
been in the forefront in struggles for equal rights, such as the desegregation of schools, voter registration, fair judicial proceedings, and combating media stereotyping and distortions.
The AGIF formally convenes at an annual convention held at different parts of the Nation. Educational and training workshops, corporate exhibits and job fairs are held and attended by delegates from throughout the state, as well as government and corporate representatives. Position papers, resolutions and proposed solutions are generated. These papers address issues of concern within the Hispanic community. These, presented at the National Convention are distributed so that action is assured on all issues.
The Texas GI Forum is composed of the Forum, Women’s and Youth Chapters. Youth Chapters are sponsored by either AGIF group. Local chapters function under a regional structure. Elected officers of each 2 senior groups compose the State Board of Directors. The youth Chair sits on the Board as an intern.The State Executive Board is elected at the Annual State Convention. The Board of Directors at their first meeting after the Convention elects a CEO that handles the administrative arm of the organization and sits on the Board of directors. He does not vote on issues that pertain to policy or Governance.
Special Programs
The AGIF has local and regional offices and maintains a State headquarters in Austin, Texas. A National office is located in Pueblo, Colorado. For information regarding the office nearest you contact the National Office at (210) 625-3349
The AGIF Local and the State Headquarters offices sponsor and support the following programs in the U.S.:
- Veterans Outreach Program
- SER, National Jobs for Progress
- Hispanic Education Foundation
- Heroes Lodge
Objectives
EDUCATION
To provide information and motivation on education, scholarships and post secondary educational opportunities.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND MOTIVATION
To establish AGIF Youth chapters; to train youth in leadership and motivation values; to help with their education through academic and trade scholarships, to promote better career opportunities.
EMPLOYMENT
To establish communications with corporations and job placement organizations, to assist with job training referrals, and to ensure equal employment opportunities.
HUMAN RIGHTS
To enforce, defend and protect the civil and human rights of Hispanics, women and other minorities and to ensure equal opportunities as mandated by federal and state laws.
LEGISLATION
To provide input on enforcement of legislation that protects the rights of Hispanic veterans, their families and other minorities concerning affirmative action, benefits from social and educational.
TEXAS PROUD
The American GI Forum is the largest Federally Chartered Hispanic Veterans organization in the U.S. with Chapters in 10 states and Puerto Rico. The AGIF also supports other Hispanic organizations, such as LULAC, NCLR, IMAGE, HACER, and many others. AGIF also has a Corporate Advisory Board (AGIFCAP) that helps with technical advise and financial support.
OFFICIAL MOTTO
“Education is our Freedom and Freedom Should be Everybody’s Business”
Official Prayer of the American GI Forum
St. Francis of Assisi
LORD, Make me an Instrument of Thy Peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
Oh DIVINE MASTER, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console, to be understood, as to understand, to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to ETERNAL LIFE. Amen.
“In military service, in medicine, and in the civil rights movement, Dr. Garcia answered the call of duty at every opportunity and made a positive difference in the lives of millions of Americans. His story reminds us all that with enough dedication, each of us can make progress in our society if we are willing to step forward and act with conviction.” – Texas Senator John Cornyn
