Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-09-21

HONORING THE SERVICE OF JANE GARCIA

ImmigrationHealthcare

Context

On 2026-09-21, Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE SERVICE OF JANE GARCIA" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING THE SERVICE OF JANE GARCIA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 149 (Monday, September 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 149 (Monday, September 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E957] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE SERVICE OF JANE GARCIA ______ HON. MARK DeSAULNIER of california in the house of representatives Monday, September 21, 2026 Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jane Garcia as she retires from La Clinica de La Raza. Jane has worked tirelessly to serve the East Bay community through her role as the Chief Executive Officer of La Clinica. Since beginning her role in 1982, Jane has led La Clinica in providing culturally sensitive care to over 86,000 patients throughout the East Bay. Jane has been a steadfast proponent for accessible, culturally competent, community-focused health care. She has helped thousands of patients in navigating the health care system and has worked diligently to build La Clinica into what it is today. She fostered strong partnerships with providers like Kaiser Permanente, allowing La Clinica to reach underserved communities. Under her leadership, La Clinica has not only become a major asset to communities in need of accessible health care, but it also helps to enroll patients in Medicaid and other insurance programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jane facilitated programs at La Clinica that helped patients re-enroll in health care after their coverage had expired, delivered meals to families in quarantine, and helped people find resources so that they were able to keep their homes. Furthermore, in 1997 she took then-California Governor Pete Wilson's administration to court for defunding Medi-Cal prenatal care for undocumented immigrant women--and she won. She also serves on various boards such as The California Endowment, the Alameda Alliance for Health, and Oakland Thrives, and she served a remarkable three-year term as President of the California Primary Care Association. Through working on the ground with patients and navigating policy, she has been a fierce advocate for historically marginalized communities and has been a true leader in protecting and promoting public health throughout the Bay Area. Jane's commitment to community health has earned her numerous awards, including the Equal Rights Advocates award, the YMCA Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Prize for Human Dignity and Brotherhood award, and the National Association of Community Health Centers 2010 Betsey Cooke Advocacy MVP Award. She has also been inducted into the Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame, as well as the Women's Hall of Fame by the Contra Costa Commission for Women, and was recognized as one of UC Berkeley's School of Public Health's 75 Influential Alumni. Jane's leadership has been integral to providing quality health care to marginalized communities around the Bay Area, and her stellar commitment to service has left a lasting impact on countless individuals. Please join me in congratulating Jane Garcia on her retirement after her four decades of service to our region. ____________________

View original source →

HONORING THE SERVICE OF JANE GARCIA Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 149 (Monday, September 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 149 (Monday, September 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E957] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE SERVICE OF JANE GARCIA ______ HON. MARK DeSAULNIER of california in the house of representatives Monday, September 21, 2026 Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jane Garcia as she retires from La Clinica de La Raza. Jane has worked tirelessly to serve the East Bay community through her role as the Chief Executive Officer of La Clinica. Since beginning her role in 1982, Jane has led La Clinica in providing culturally sensitive care to over 86,000 patients throughout the East Bay. Jane has been a steadfast proponent for accessible, culturally competent, community-focused health care. She has helped thousands of patients in navigating the health care system and has worked diligently to build La Clinica into what it is today. She fostered strong partnerships with providers like Kaiser Permanente, allowing La Clinica to reach underserved communities. Under her leadership, La Clinica has not only become a major asset to communities in need of accessible health care, but it also helps to enroll patients in Medicaid and other insurance programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jane facilitated programs at La Clinica that helped patients re-enroll in health care after their coverage had expired, delivered meals to families in quarantine, and helped people find resources so that they were able to keep their homes. Furthermore, in 1997 she took then-California Governor Pete Wilson's administration to court for defunding Medi-Cal prenatal care for undocumented immigrant women--and she won. She also serves on various boards such as The California Endowment, the Alameda Alliance for Health, and Oakland Thrives, and she served a remarkable three-year term as President of the California Primary Care Association. Through working on the ground with patients and navigating policy, she has been a fierce advocate for historically marginalized communities and has been a true leader in protecting and promoting public health throughout the Bay Area. Jane's commitment to community health has earned her numerous awards, including the Equal Rights Advocates award, the YMCA Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Prize for Human Dignity and Brotherhood award, and the National Association of Community Health Centers 2010 Betsey Cooke Advocacy MVP Award. She has also been inducted into the Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame, as well as the Women's Hall of Fame by the Contra Costa Commission for Women, and was recognized as one of UC Berkeley's School of Public Health's 75 Influential Alumni. Jane's leadership has been integral to providing quality health care to marginalized communities around the Bay Area, and her stellar commitment to service has left a lasting impact on countless individuals. Please join me in congratulating Jane Garcia on her retirement after her four decades of service to our region. ____________________