Josey Garcia Explained

Josey Garcia is an American politician who, as of 2023, serves in the Texas House of Representatives, representing Texas's 124th House of Representatives district. She is a member of the Democratic Party,^[1] and serves as the first active-duty woman veteran to serve in the Texas House of Representatives.^[2]

Biography

Garcia is a veteran of the United States Air Force where she served for twenty years. She spent most of her childhood in foster care attending thirteen different schools and living with various families.^{[3] [4]}

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.^{[5] [6]}

Garcia is married to Ramon, 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.^[7]

Military Career

Garcia signed for the United States Air Force at the age of 16 through the Delayed Entry Program. She served in deployments to Cameroon, Africa, and Iraq, where she served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She later served at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, before retiring from twenty years of service in 2014 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. ^[8]

Awards

Garcia was voted "Fresh of the Year" by members of the House Democratic Caucus for her accomplishments in the 88th Legislative Session in 2023.^[9]

Legislative Accomplishments

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]

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. News: McKinley . Edward . Josey Garcia wins Democratic primary for San Antonio-area state House seat . September 19, 2023 . . March 1, 2022.
2. https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=124
3. News: Nguyen . Alex . The Texas House has a record number of LGBTQ representatives as lawmakers face scores of bills focused on gender and sexuality . September 19, 2023 . . March 7, 2023.
4. Web site: Representatives . Texas House of . Texas House of Representatives . 2024-03-25 . www.house.texas.gov.
5. Web site: Representatives . Texas House of . Texas House of Representatives . 2024-03-25 . www.house.texas.gov.
6. Web site: Outreach . Uniting America . Uniting America Outreach . 2024-03-25 . Uniting America Outreach . en-US.
7. News: Garcia . Gilbert . Garcia: ‘A big heart’ — Josey Garcia brings a compelling personal narrative to her Texas House campaign . September 19, 2023 . . July 7, 2022.
8. Web site: Representatives . Texas House of . Texas House of Representatives . 2024-03-25 . www.house.texas.gov.
9. https://x.com/TexasHDC/status/1663288542620000257?s=20
10. Web site: Texas Legislature Online - Report . 2024-03-25 . capitol.texas.gov.
11. https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/venessa-guillen-day-sexual-harassments/273-621d38cc-cbca-48d6-b3e9-d9a5f84d95aa
12. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB4333
13. Web site: 88(R) SB 1930 - Enrolled version - Bill Text . 2024-03-25 . capitol.texas.gov.
14. Web site: 88(R) SB 252 - Enrolled version - Bill Text . 2024-03-25 . capitol.texas.gov.