After a life fighting for Mexican-American communities, veterans, and human rights, Victor Garza died this morning in San Jose, leaving behind a national legacy of advocacy in his wake.
He was 86, and had been struggling with the declining health of multiple organs, according to longtime friend Ramon Martinez.
“We have lost a giant today, but his legacy will live on in the work we do to create a fairer, more just society,” said state Senator Dave Cortese in a statement. “An unwavering commitment to the fight for civil rights can be seen in everything he has done. His passion and vision for our community have left a mark on California, inspiring many, and will continue to guide us for years to come.”
Garza was born on July 4, 1937 to a family of migrant farmworkers in Eagle Pass, Texas. He worked as a migrant farmworker in his teens and joined the Navy at 18, where he worked as a welder.
He later worked as a farmworker and then built a successful career as a civilian welder before deciding to go to school at San Jose State University with the goal of serving the public.
“He knew he wanted to do more to help people,” recalled Martinez, a friend who met him in the early ‘70s in college. “He was the kind of person that always stuck his nose into things whenever they weren’t right.”
As manager for the County of Santa Clara Veterans Services in San Jose, he won several awards for his advocacy for veterans. Garza was perhaps most vocal in his advocacy for Latinos and Mexican-Americans throughout his life, founding the La Raza Roundtable, which has brought together community leaders and policy makers with members of the Latino community since its beginnings in 1988.
Through the roundtable and myriad other arenas, Garza advocated for Latino and Chicano representation in education, fought for restorative justice and for more equitable policing, and advocated for veterans’ affairs. He also spoke out on issues of racism, immigration, social and health services, and employment issues affecting the Latino workforce.
His advocacy resulted in nationwide acclaim, including invitations from the Clinton administration to participate an initiative on race and poverty and as a contingent of Latino leaders visited by the Obama administration.
“He knows how to bark at you but also work with you – that’s not very common anymore,” said Bob Nuñez, co-chair of the roundtable. He recalled that Garza spoke with state senators, police chiefs, parents and community members with the same patient respect and always sought to find a way to take action to make things better.
“He is a true icon,” said Nuñez. “He brought joy and tears to everyone because of the great work he did.”
He also served as a board leader of Southwest Key, a nationwide network which offers a variety of services including connecting unaccompanied immigrant minors to much-needed care.
Garza attended every meeting of La Raza Roundtable until his declining health prevented him from doing so. He attended the last two months virtually, said Nuñez, and offered suggestions for the group even in the final weeks before his death.
