Rene Garcia
Encyclopedia
Rene Garcia is a Florida State Senator representing District 40, a former member of the Florida House of Representatives
and a former member of the City of Hialeah City Council (1997–2000). Garcia is currently Vice President for Dade Medical College.
Much like his former State House district 110, Senate District 40 consists mostly of Hialeah, FL; Miami Lakes, FL; Miami Springs, FL; Doral
, FL; and Sweetwater
, FL.
. In December 2004 he graduated from the University of Miami
with the degree of Master in Business Administration, specializing in Health Administration and Policy.
Garcia also teaches Health Care Policy at Florida International University
.
Garcia was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 2000 to represent District 110 as a Republican
which consists mostly of Hialeah
and Miami Lakes
. He was subsequently re-elected in 2002, 2004 and 2006 and has proven to be a dedicated community leader. Furthermore, he served as Chair of the Miami Dade Legislative Delegation, Chair of the Health Services Sub-Committee, Chairman of the Health Care Regulation Committee, Chairman of Health Innovation Committee, Chair of the Florida Hispanic Caucus, and was named Deputy Whip for the House of Representatives. In November 2008 Garcia was constitutionally termed out of office.
Garcia’s passion for health care and his constituents is something that he diligently defends and fosters. He has championed numerous causes for health care ensuring that everyone has rights and access to quality service health care. Garcia has always taken pride in protecting our most vulnerable children and seniors. As a founding board member of the Children’s Trust and activist for KidCare – Former Representative Garcia has been a committed advocate for children. Rene has worked tirelessly to ensure children are safe, educated and have access to health care. He has also supported legislation ensuring that seniors receive adequate care by providing funding our senior centers and meals program.
He has also been given numerous awards in appreciation for his dedication, service and support from schools, hospitals, and association to children, elders, his community and his overall commitment to the State of Florida. Some of those recognitions are from Community Smiles, Safe Haven for Newborns, Liga Contra El Cancer, Voices for the Children Foundation, American Heart Association, MADD, Poison Help Center, Children’s Trust Foundation, and several Miami Dade Public Schools (including Hialeah High and Middle School-his alma mater, Dupuis Elementary, Hialeah Middle School, Miami Lakes Middle and Hialeah Elementary).
Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
and a former member of the City of Hialeah City Council (1997–2000). Garcia is currently Vice President for Dade Medical College.
Much like his former State House district 110, Senate District 40 consists mostly of Hialeah, FL; Miami Lakes, FL; Miami Springs, FL; Doral
Doral
-Business:* Doral , a brand of cigarette from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company* Doral Financial Corporation, a financial institution located in Puerto Rico* Doral, a brand of quazepam, a benzodiazepine medicine that is used to treat insomnia...
, FL; and Sweetwater
Sweetwater
Sweetwater is a synonym for freshwater. It may also refer to:- Places :* Sweet Water, Alabama* Sweetwater, Duval County, Florida* Sweetwater, Hardee County, Florida* Sweetwater, Miami-Dade County, Florida* Sweet Water, Illinois* Sweetwater, Idaho...
, FL.
Education
While serving as a Hialeah city councilman Rene Garcia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Florida International UniversityFlorida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
. In December 2004 he graduated from the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
with the degree of Master in Business Administration, specializing in Health Administration and Policy.
Garcia also teaches Health Care Policy at Florida International University
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
.
Political career
In 1997, at the age of 23, Garcia was elected to a two-year term on the Hialeah City Council. He was re-elected, to a four-year term in November 1999.Garcia was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 2000 to represent District 110 as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
which consists mostly of Hialeah
Hialeah, Florida
Hialeah is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 226,419. As of 2009, the population estimate by the U. S...
and Miami Lakes
Miami Lakes, Florida
Miami Lakes is a Miami suburban incorporated town and former census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 22,676 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
. He was subsequently re-elected in 2002, 2004 and 2006 and has proven to be a dedicated community leader. Furthermore, he served as Chair of the Miami Dade Legislative Delegation, Chair of the Health Services Sub-Committee, Chairman of the Health Care Regulation Committee, Chairman of Health Innovation Committee, Chair of the Florida Hispanic Caucus, and was named Deputy Whip for the House of Representatives. In November 2008 Garcia was constitutionally termed out of office.
Garcia’s passion for health care and his constituents is something that he diligently defends and fosters. He has championed numerous causes for health care ensuring that everyone has rights and access to quality service health care. Garcia has always taken pride in protecting our most vulnerable children and seniors. As a founding board member of the Children’s Trust and activist for KidCare – Former Representative Garcia has been a committed advocate for children. Rene has worked tirelessly to ensure children are safe, educated and have access to health care. He has also supported legislation ensuring that seniors receive adequate care by providing funding our senior centers and meals program.
Philanthropy and Awards
Some of Rene Garcia’s Awards include: Florida Children Services Council – Legislative Award; Jewish Center of Services- Community Leadership Award; Alliance for Aging, Inc.- Elder Statesman Award; The Children’s Psychiatric Center- Children’s Service Award; Miami Children’s Hospital- Distinguished Services for the Children Award; Health Council of South Florida- Community Leadership Award; Miami Dade County League of Cities- Legislator of the Year Award; South Florida Legal Services Provider- Legislative Leadership Award; Florida Association of Health Plans- Managed Care Legislator of the Year Award; Jackson Health System- Honorary Doctor of the Day; Dade Christian Coalition- Friend of the Family Award; and Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.- Friend of the Free Enterprise Award. National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) - Legislator of the year Award; and the United Way of Miami-Dade Public Service Leadership Award.He has also been given numerous awards in appreciation for his dedication, service and support from schools, hospitals, and association to children, elders, his community and his overall commitment to the State of Florida. Some of those recognitions are from Community Smiles, Safe Haven for Newborns, Liga Contra El Cancer, Voices for the Children Foundation, American Heart Association, MADD, Poison Help Center, Children’s Trust Foundation, and several Miami Dade Public Schools (including Hialeah High and Middle School-his alma mater, Dupuis Elementary, Hialeah Middle School, Miami Lakes Middle and Hialeah Elementary).