(Courtesy photo)
By RENE TORRES
Rene Torres is a retired University of Texas at Brownsville, and Texas Southmost College assistant professor. He has a long history in the Rio Grande Valley as an educator, sports historian, and humanitarian, with a wealth of community service to his credit.
It takes stoop labor, from dawn to sunset, to put food on the American table. The practice has been repeated for decades, as this country ponders to define the status of voiceless migrants. The story about the immigrants of today started in the 1890s, when mining and agriculture attracted Mexican labor to this country.
It started in Guadalajara
Allow me to take you to a small ranch in the state of Guadalajara. It was a religious affair for little Ricardo “Rico” Garcia to join his father at the break of dawn to engage in crouch labor.
But it was also common for his father and the rest of the village’s men to engage in seasonal work in the United States.
At five years old, Garcia was a savvy kid who paid attention to the details. He noticed that when the men departed to the U.S., they were frail and somewhat undernourished. Upon their return—he noticed their transformation. They appeared healthier, well-groomed and with additional wardrobe.
He thought, to escape his daily woes, he also wanted to venture to work in the U.S. But this was not his time. Meanwhile, to help his family, Garcia continued to engage in hard labor around his community.
The day came in the mid-80s when Garcia left the friendly confines of home and linked with his father to travel to the land of opportunity: Sacramento, California.
They found work there pruning trees, but the pay was not satisfactory for Garcia. He then decided to break the partnership with his father and go on his own. That venture turned out to be a good proposition —his diligence netted him double the money.
As time progressed, he pondered on what to do next. The answer was obvious — learn English and become an American citizen.
After his work day, he found time to take English classes. Along the way came an “angel,” a dedicated teacher who gave him the time and devotion to set the foundation for his future endeavors.
He resolved the idea of becoming a legal citizen by doing some intense studying to become a legal citizen.
The Ronald Reagan-era Amnesty Program opened the door, and he took advantage of the opportunity. With his pockets full of American history, he met all requirements, and with this, became part of the fabric of the American dream.
Moving up the ladder… Toyota gives him a chance
Creating his identity within the Toyota dealership began as a car washer—a job made possible through a friend who knew his footprints of hard work. To say the least, he excelled at that job!
As a young child, Garcia was afflicted by a desire to move up the ladder. It was something that defined his future. With little knowledge of the intricacies of the automobile, he was given the opportunity to work in the “Parts Department.”
But before taking the job, he was mandated to memorize the appropriate car manuals to handle the position, which he did. His work there did not go unnoticed by the Zamora Family—owners of the Toyota Dealership.
Moving to Arizona…
His story of work, love, family, and devotion continued in Arizona, as the Zamora family rewarded his efforts and knew that his strong work ethic and loyalty would benefit all those involved.
After several successful tenures there, he was provided with the opportunity to lead the start of a Toyota dealership in Brownsville. It was one of his most difficult decisions he had to make, due to the fact his wife was not in tune for another move, especially to Brownsville.
Hello Brownsville…
But today, Rico and Martha are happy to be in Brownville. After nine years in the city, the Zamora family with help from little Garcia, have changed the face of the automobile industry in Brownsville.
The dealership is not only focused on selling vehicles, but also on creating jobs. At this juncture, the Toyota and Honda dealerships have generated over 150 jobs, and there is more to come, as plans are in the works to bring an additional dealership to the same site.
The Garcia family survived times of financial distress without the assistance of government entitlements, and Rico continues to honor his past with a constant eye on the future of his family, and the auto industry in Brownsville.
When describing Garcia, the word tenacity comes to mind, as has the quality of being determined to keep trying and moving forward, especially in difficult times.
He is considered one of a kind, and he has inspired others to follow his lead, proving that the vast majority of immigrants have aided in making America great.
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