Trailblazing Former Austin Mayor Gus Garcia Dead At 84

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Gustavo L. "Gus" Garcia, the trailblazing first elected Hispanic mayor of Austin distinguished by a 40-year career in civic service — died early Monday at the age of 84.

Born in the border town of Zapata, Texas, in 1934, Garcia's career trajectory was laden with a series of firsts in addition to his pioneering mayoral tenure. He also was the first Hispanic member of the Austin Independent School District board of trustees and the first president of that body.

Garcia served on the Austin City Council for more than a decade, putting in another six-year stint on the Austin school district board. He was elected mayor on Nov. 6, 2001, running in a special election after Kirk Watson stepped down to run for state office. Garcia won handily, securing 59 percent of the vote in a crowded field of eight candidates.

His predecessor lauded Garcia's ascension to the post: "He brings to the office maturity, stability, and a real sense of history, Watson was quoted as saying about Garcia.

Never one to back down when sensing injustice or inequity, Garcia protested upon learning only one Hispanic was named to the then-newly formed Human Relations Commission (later the Human Right Commission) in 1967. His protest prompted city council to add four Hispanics to the 21-member board, including Garcia.

Once firmly established on the board, Garcia uncovered discriminatory practices at the Austin Housing Authority. Denied access to records, Garcia launched a personal investigation of one of the public housing residential towers, exposing discrimination as a tactic in selecting tenants. His findings informed his contribution to writing a fair housing ordinance that — while failing to garner full support in a 1968 referendum— was ultimately adopted by the city in 1977.

Building upon this work he helped write a Fair Housing Ordinance, which was passed in 1968 by the City Council.[4] The Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR) responded by leading a petition driver to put the ordinance up for a citywide vote in 1968 and the ordinance was repealed by an overwhelming majority.[2] Times changed however and in 1977 the ordinance was adopted by the city.

Current Austin Mayor Steve Adler expressed his condolences via Twitter: "We feel a community-wide heavy heart as one of our greatest Austin giants moves on," the mayor wrote. "“Mayor Garcia focused our city as no one had setting us on a course to seek equity and justice for all of Austin. I will miss my friend and teacher.”

Former Austin City Council member Mike Martinez, who unsuccessfully challenged Adler for the mayoral post in 2014, rendered homage to his role model. "Like everyone else, i'm truly saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mayor Gus Garcia," Martinez wrote. "He was a legend among legends. I will forever be grateful for his counsel and advise...but most for his friendship. RIP Mayor. #Austin is better today, because of you."

The Austin ISD put out a statement expressing their own words of condolence, posting comments by superintendent on its live feed. The Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy is named in the pioneer's honor, with a mission statement to develop scholars "...who are empathetic, service-oriented problem solvers — lifelong learners who succeed in high school, college, career and life," according to the school's website.

The Austin Parks Foundation added its voice to the tributes that started pouring in as news of Garcia's death spread. Foundation members noted Garcia's efforts in assisting with land acquisition for conservation purposes. Those efforts helped prompt the naming of a park in his honor, the APF noted.

"Truly a heavy heart," Austin Parks Foundation officials wrote on Twitter. "We're grateful for Mayor Garcia's work in acquiring land for parks and nature preserves, and are proud his legacy is remembered at the Gus Garcia District Park and Rec Center."

Austin Police Department Brian Manley expressed his condolences while simultaneously celebrating his life and considerable achievements: "Thank you Mayor Gus Garcia for your leadership and service to our community. You will be missed, but your legacy will live on!"

Added Rep. Lloyd Doggett, representative for the 35th District of Texas: "For decades, Gus and Marina have been a great team for our community. Gus Garcia provided a gentle but forceful voice for public education, equal opportunity, the environment, and active participation by Hispanics in public decision-making and every aspect of our community."

Paul Saldaña, a prominent advocate for the city's Hispanic population who himself served on the Austin ISD board of trustees, offered a succinct — yet powerful — tribute of his own. "My mentor, my hero, my friend," he wrote on his Facebook page with a photo of the two men to illustrate his sentiment.

Garcia is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marina, three sons and five grandchildren. Funeral services are pending.

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>>> Photo of Gus Garcia via Austin ISD