Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on the Passing of Dolores Huerta

HOUSTON, TX - Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) released the following statement on the passing of legendary labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta at age 96:

"I am heartbroken by the passing of Dolores Huerta. Our country has lost a giant in the fight for civil rights, workers' rights, and justice. And I have lost a dear friend who inspired me and countless others across generations.

"I grew up in Palito Blanco, Texas, picking cotton in the fields under the hot sun. I know how hard that work is and the sacrifices farmworkers and their families make every day. Dolores dedicated her life to making sure those workers were seen, heard, and treated with dignity. She stood up to powerful interests, organized communities, and fought for fair wages and better working conditions for the people who put food on our tables.

"She was also a proud feminist and a fierce champion for women's rights. Dolores paved the way for Latinas like me. At a time when Mexican American women were too often told to sit down and stay quiet, Dolores stood up and showed us that our voices mattered and that ordinary people could accomplish extraordinary things.

"And I'll always smile remembering how every time Dolores came to Houston, she wanted to go to a Tex-Mex restaurant for some carne guisada. Those are the little things that made her so special to those of us who knew her.

"My heart goes out to her family, her loved ones, and the people whose lives she touched. We must honor her by continuing the fight for dignity, equality, and justice that she dedicated her life to.

"Descansa en paz, gran amiga. Seguiré la lucha que tú empezaste."