President Clinton, who became acquainted with Dr. Garcia while registering voters in the Rio Grand Valley in 1972, called him "a national hero." Dr. Garcia fought for half a century for civil and educational rights of  Mexican-Americans. Dr. Garcia is survived by his wife, Wanda; three daughters, Wanda, Cecilia and Susan; two brothers, Dr. C.P. Garcia of San Antonio, Dr. Xico Garcia of Corups Christi; three sisters, Dr. Cleotilde Garcia and Dr. Dalia Garcia, both of Corpus Christi, and Emilia Garcia Garza of Matamoros, Mexico. A son, Hector Jr., died in 1962 at the age of 13.