Sylvia Garcia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sylvia Garcia
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 29th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Gene Green
Member of the Texas Senate from the 6th district
In office March 11, 2013 – November 9, 2018
Preceded by	Mario Gallegos Jr.
Succeeded by	Carol Alvarado
Harris County Commissioner from Precinct 2
In office January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2011
Preceded by	Jim Fontento
Succeeded by	Jack Morman
12th City Controller of Houston
In office January 2, 1998 – January 1, 2003
Preceded by	Lloyd Kelly
Succeeded by	Judy Gray Johnson
Personal details
Born	Sylvia Rodriguez Garcia (1950-09-06) September 6, 1950 (age 74) San Diego, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	Texas Woman's University (BA) Texas Southern University (JD)

Sylvia Rodriguez Garcia (born September 6, 1950) is an American lawyer and politician. She currently serves as a U.S. Representative for Texas's 29th congressional district since 2019. This district covers a large part of eastern Houston. Sylvia Garcia is a member of the Democratic Party. Before joining the U.S. House, she was a state senator in the Texas Senate.

Growing Up and Education

Sylvia Rodriguez Garcia was born in San Diego, Texas. She grew up in Palito Blanco, a small community in Jim Wells County. She is one of ten children in her family. Her parents were Luis and Antonia Rodriguez Garcia. Her family has Mexican American heritage.

After finishing high school at Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School, Sylvia Garcia went to Texas Woman's University. She earned a scholarship to help pay for her studies. She graduated with a degree in social work. She then started her career helping people as a social worker. Later, she continued her education and earned a law degree from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

Early Political Work

Working for the City of Houston

In the early 1980s, the Mayor of Houston, Kathryn Whitmire, chose Sylvia Garcia to be a presiding judge for the city's court system. She served in this role for five terms, which is a very long time, under two different mayors. In 1998, Garcia became the city controller for Houston. This job involves managing the city's money.

Serving Harris County

In 2002, Sylvia Garcia was elected to the Harris County Commissioner's Court. She made history as the first woman and the first Latina to be elected to this position on her own. Her area of responsibility included important places like a major NASA center, large chemical factories, and the Port of Houston. The Port of Houston is one of the biggest ports in the world. In 2010, she was not re-elected to this position.

Serving in the Texas Senate

In 2013, Sylvia Garcia won a special election to become a state Senator. She replaced the late Senator Mario Gallegos Jr.. She officially became a state senator on March 11, 2013. During her time in the Texas Senate, she worked on committees dealing with topics like criminal justice, transportation, and natural resources. She ran for re-election in 2016 and won without anyone running against her.

Working in the U.S. House of Representatives

Becoming a U.S. Representative

First Try in 1992

While she was still a municipal judge, Sylvia Garcia tried to become a U.S. Representative in 1992. She ran in the Democratic primary for a new congressional district. She came in third place. Another candidate, Gene Green, won that election and served for 26 years.

Winning in 2018

In 2017, Gene Green announced he would retire. Sylvia Garcia, who was then a state senator, decided to run for his seat. Many people believed that whoever won the Democratic primary would likely win the main election because the district strongly supported Democrats. Gene Green supported Sylvia Garcia, saying she was a good lawmaker. She won the primary election with 63% of the votes.

On November 6, 2018, Sylvia Garcia easily won the general election. She and Veronica Escobar became the first Latina women from Texas to serve in the U.S. Congress. Sylvia Garcia was also the first woman to represent her district. She is also the first Hispanic person to represent a large part of Houston in Congress.

Re-election in 2020

Sylvia Garcia was re-elected in 2020. She won against Republican Jaimy Blanco.

Key Work in Congress

On January 15, 2020, Sylvia Garcia was chosen as one of seven House impeachment managers. These managers presented the case against President Donald Trump during his trial in the United States Senate.

Committees and Groups She Joins

Sylvia Garcia works on important committees in the House of Representatives:

• Committee on Financial Services: This committee deals with banks, money, and the economy.
  • Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
• Committee on the Judiciary: This committee handles laws, justice, and the legal system.
  • Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and and Civil Liberties
  • Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship

She is also part of many groups called "caucuses" that focus on specific topics:

• Congressional Hispanic Caucus
• Congressional Equality Caucus
• Congressional Homelessness Caucus
• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Congressional Mental Health Caucus
• Congressional Social Work Caucus
• Congressional Diabetes Caucus
• Adoption Caucus
• Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption
• Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment

Political Views and Actions

Sylvia Garcia often votes in line with President Joe Biden's ideas.

Supporting LGBT Rights

Garcia supports the Equality Act. This proposed law would make it illegal to treat people unfairly because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. She voted for this act in 2019.

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

In 2023, Sylvia Garcia was one of the Democrats who voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.

Helping with Disaster Relief

In 2024, after Hurricane Beryl, many people in Houston lost power. Sylvia Garcia publicly asked the power company, CenterPoint Energy, why so many residents were without electricity.

Personal Life

Sylvia Garcia is a Roman Catholic.

See also

• List of Hispanic and Latino American jurists
• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
• Women in the United States House of Representatives