Garcia is a cofounder of Uniting America Outreach,a non-profit organization based in San Antonio that delivers food and supplies to people in need. During Winter Storm Uri in 2021,Uniting America Outreach delivered over 9,000 meals to vulnerable San Antonio residents. The organization raised over $50,000 for food,clothing,and hygiene products to be delivered to Ciudad Acuña,Mexico during the crisis at the border in 2022.[3][4]
Military career
In 1996,she entered the service at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio,Texas after graduating high school.[2] She served in deployments to Cameroon,and Iraq,where she served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She later served at Ramstein Air Base,Germany,before retiring after twenty years of service in 2014 [5]
Texas House of Representatives
In 2022,incumbent Democratic Representative Ina Minjarez announced her decision to run for Bexar County judge.[6] Garcia won the Democratic Primary for the open seat and faced Republican Johnny Arredondo in the general election.[7] She won the election with 67% of the vote.[8]
Garcia was reelected in 2024,defeating Sylvia Soto with 61.5% of the vote.[9]
In her first legislative session,Garcia authored 39 and joint-authored 175 bills.[10] Of these,30 were signed into law,including:
The Vanessa Guillen Day Act,which designated September 30 as Vanessa Guillen Day in the State of Texas to honor her service,and break the silence on military sexual violence.[11]
HB 4333 which ensured that the Reflejo Court in Bexar County,which allows first-time offenders of domestic violence who also struggle with substance abuse to enter a rigorous program which promotes accountability and treatment,can continue its work for four additional years.[12]
In the 88th Legislative Session,Garcia also Joint-Sponsored 14 bills including:
SB 1930 which increased the standards for courts,attorneys,and child advocates of foster children to ensure that each placement is meeting the needs of the individual child and that fewer children are being placed in facilities that have higher rates of abuse.[13]
SB 252 which allows veterans who are legal permanent residents to serve as peace officers in their communities.[14]
Garcia was voted "Fresh of the Year" by members of the House Democratic Caucus for her accomplishments in the 88th Legislative Session in 2023.[15]
Personal life
Garcia is married to Ramon Alberto Salcedo,an Army veteran who served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom,Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom,Afghanistan,where he was awarded a Purple Heart when he was shot during a combat mission. Their blended family includes eight children.[2] She is openly bisexual.[16]
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