Posted on 09/17/2009 12:01:19 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
Navy Reserve commander and local lawyer was nominated in June by President Barack Obama
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate late Wednesday confirmed former state Rep. Juan Garcia as assistant secretary of the Navy.
Garcia, a Navy Reserve commander and local lawyer, was nominated for the job in June by President Barack Obama, his Harvard Law School classmate.
“I’m honored to be entrusted with this role in helping to shape history’s finest sea service: the United States Navy and Marine Corps team,” said Garcia, 43. “I grew up in a Navy family and have spent my entire adult life in it. I believe American naval sea power is a force for good.”
Garcia’s nomination had been stalled along with nine other key appointments, including Army Secretary nominee U.S. Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., after U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts blocked confirmations.
The senators, both Kansas Republicans, objected to an Obama administration proposal to move some 229 suspected al-Qaida, Taliban and foreign fighters detained at a Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, detention camp, to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
The duo dropped their objections Wednesday, once the Obama administration assured them that
the prisoners would not be moved to Kansas.
On April 29, Obama announced his intention to nominate Garcia. After a series of background checks, including by the FBI and the Department of Defense, Garcia was nominated in June and appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on July 30.
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee unanimously approved him in August.
The U.S. Department of the Navy has about 330,000 naval personnel, 202,000 Marines and a civilian work force. Garcia will oversee the office responsible for recruiting, developing and retaining Navy and Marine Corps personnel to ensure that the country has a naval force capable of supporting the U.S.’ overall military global operation, he said.
His office will be at the Pentagon, but the family intends to maintain its Corpus Christi ties.
“South Texas is, and will remain, home,” Garcia said. “It is the most patriotic corner of the country. I’ll be back.”
The vote to confirm Garcia came on a unanimous vote, according to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s office.
“Juan Garcia is well qualified for this key position within the Department of Defense,” said Cornyn, R-Texas.
“I congratulate him on his appointment to serve in this critical role, and am confident that he will do an outstanding job.”
Local Navy boosters Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal and Dick Messbarger, the executive director of the Greater Kingsville Economic Development Council, said Garcia’s successful confirmation is good news for South Texas.
Garcia has secured a seat near the top of the Navy leadership, Messbarger said.
“It gives South Texas a seat at the table when the leadership at the Department of the Navy is making decisions,” said Messbarger, who intends to attend Garcia’s swearing-in. “Juan has told me numerous times he wants to be at the table for serious decisions related to South Texas. There are four assistant secretaries and an undersecretary and then the secretary. Those are the big six that will meet and discuss major decisions within the Department of the Navy and he will be one of them.”
South Texas never has had a political appointee at such a high level in the Department of Defense, said Neal, who was the longtime chairman of the now defunct South Texas Military Facilities Task Force.
“Anytime you have someone within the Navy at a high level of responsibility like an assistant secretary of the Navy it is a great advantage to communities like Corpus Christi,” Neal said. “Only to the effect that it’s a listening ear at the table, who understands what the Navy’s needs are and what the community’s needs are. And they can speak intelligently on behalf of this community. I think it is great for South Texas.”
Previous individuals who have served as assistant secretaries of the Navy include Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and U.S. Sen. James Webb, D-Va.
Texans who have had presidential Pentagon appointments include former governors John Connally, who served as secretary of the Navy, and Bill Clements, who served as U.S. deputy secretary of defense.
Democrats including Nueces County Democratic Party Chairwoman Lucy Rubio and former chairman John Bell said they were thrilled to watch their candidate rise to such a lofty position.
“We are as Democrats extremely proud of his appointment,” Rubio said. “We just wish him the best of luck. He is going to do an outstanding job. He makes all Democrats very, very proud.”
Garcia’s longtime political supporters including Mikal Watts, a prominent lawyer and Democrat donor, intend to fly to Washington, D.C., to watch what Watts believes is a monumental event for Texas.
“Corpus Christi should be proud that its best and brightest will now serve our nation in the same role that produced great national leaders like Franklin Delano Roosevelt,” Watts said. “This is a very important position in our military, and Juan is up to the task.”
Don’t know this Juan Garcia, other than what is written in this article.
Can anyone give some real insight?
Doesn’t 43 years old seem pretty young?
No, do not think it is the same person.
Thought for a minute it said Jerry Garcia.
Si Juan Valdez of oil tanker fame.
BHO the CinC is 48!
We are seeing the creation of the first cult of personality. Loyalty to the One is more important than any other qualification.
Someone ask Juan if you can appropriate his Harvard YearBook to look at.
Maybe something on 0bama in it that could be useful.
his younger brother?
When will the Carriers and Boomers be called back to port for decommissioning?
“by President Barack Obama, his Harvard Law School classmate”
Did we ever see proof of that? Why does Obama hide his academic record? He got worse grades than Bush or Kerry, guaranteed. If he had good grades, it would be in our face all day long.
Juan aka John Garcia ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Second-generation Navy aviator, 30+ mission combat vet in the Gulf. So far the only thing I don’t like is that he’s a Dem, but then there are some decent Dems out there.
Or Harvard Alumni directories. These contain address and employment information.
My friends tell me he used to be called John before he decided to enter politics.
Like McCain.
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