Tony Garza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Garza
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| United States Ambassador to Mexico | |
| In office November 22, 2002 – January 20, 2009 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Jeffrey Davidow |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Pascual |
| Railroad Commissioner of Texas | |
| In office January 4, 1999 – November 18, 2002 |
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| Governor | George W. Bush Rick Perry |
| Preceded by | Barry Williamson |
| Succeeded by | Victor Carrillo |
| 98th Secretary of State of Texas | |
| In office January 17, 1995 – December 31, 1997 |
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| Governor | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Ron Kirk |
| Succeeded by | Alberto Gonzales |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Antonio Oscar Garza Jr.
July 7, 1959 Brownsville, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Liz Beightler
(m. 2012) |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin (BA) Southern Methodist University (JD) |
Antonio Oscar "Tony" Garza Jr. (born July 7, 1959) is an American lawyer and diplomat. He served as the United States Ambassador to Mexico from 2002 to 2009. During this time, George W. Bush was the U.S. President.
In 2009, Mexico gave him the Águila Azteca award. This is the highest honor Mexico gives to people from other countries. It recognized his efforts to make the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico stronger. Before becoming an ambassador, Garza held important roles in Texas. He was the Secretary of State of Texas and also led the Texas Railroad Commission.
Early Life and Education
Tony Garza was born in Brownsville, Texas. His father owned a gasoline station. His grandparents had moved to the United States from Mexico.
Garza went to the University of Texas at Austin. He earned a degree in Business Administration in 1980. Later, he studied law at Southern Methodist University School of Law. He received his law degree in 1983.
His Work and Public Service
After finishing law school, Garza worked as an attorney. In 1988, he became a judge in Cameron County, Texas.
From January 1995 to November 1997, he served as the Texas Secretary of State. This role involves managing state records and elections. After that, he was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission. This group oversees the oil and gas industry in Texas. He also served as its chairman.
In 2002, President George W. Bush chose him to be the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. An ambassador is a country's main representative in another country. Garza held this important job until 2009. He worked to improve ties between the two nations.
When he left his ambassador role in 2009, Mexico honored him. He received the Águila Azteca, Mexico's highest award for foreigners. After his public service, Garza joined the law firm White & Case LLP. He also became chairman of a business consulting firm called Vianovo Ventures.
Personal Details
Tony Garza has been married twice. He first married María Asunción Aramburuzabala. They later divorced in May 2010. He then married Dr. Liz Beightler in 2012.
