Domingo García (politician)
Quick facts for kids
Domingo García
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51st President of the LULAC | |
Assumed office August 2018 |
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Preceded by | Roger C. Rocha Jr. |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 104th district |
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In office January 14, 1997 – January 14, 2003 |
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Preceded by | Roberto Alonzo |
Succeeded by | Roberto Alonzo |
Personal details | |
Born | Midland, Texas, U.S. |
February 26, 1958
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Dallas, Texas |
Alma mater | University of North Texas Texas Southern University El Colegio de Mexico |
Domingo García is an American lawyer and politician. He is currently the 51st President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Before this, he was a member of the Dallas City Council. He also served as Mayor Pro Tem of Dallas and was a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He became president of LULAC in 2018.
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Early Life and Education
Domingo García was born on February 26, 1958. His parents were Alberto "Beto" Garcia Perez and Manuela Garcia Cano. His father was a rancher and owned a successful concrete company. Domingo is the oldest of seven children. He grew up mostly in Richardson, Texas.
As a child, Domingo enjoyed sports like soccer and football. He even won a Golden Gloves award in boxing one year. He was very active in his high school's student council at Berkner High. He earned his first degree from the University of North Texas in 1980. Later, he received his law degree from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston in 1983. After finishing his studies, he worked as a lawyer.
Political Career Highlights
Domingo García began his political career in Dallas. He was first elected to the Dallas City Council in 1991. He served on the council until 1995.
Serving as Mayor Pro Tem
In 1993, he was elected Mayor Pro Tem of Dallas. This made him the first Latino person to hold that important position. The Mayor Pro Tem often steps in for the mayor when needed.
Time in the Texas House
García served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives. During his time there, he helped write an important bill called HB1403. This bill is also known as the Texas Instate-Tuition Act, or the Texas Dream Act. It was the first law of its kind in the country. It allowed some students who graduated from Texas high schools to pay in-state tuition at Texas State Universities.
In 2002, Domingo García ran for mayor of Dallas in a special election. He finished in third place.
Running for U.S. Congress
He also ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2012. He sought to represent the new 33rd district. However, he did not win in the primary election. He decided not to run for Congress again in 2014.
Leading LULAC
In 2018, Domingo García was elected president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). LULAC is the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States. It works to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health, and civil rights of Hispanic people.