Mary Jane Garcia
Encyclopedia
Mary Jane M. Garcia is a Democratic
member of the New Mexico Senate
, representing the 36th District since 1988.
In 1936 Mary Jane Garcia was born in Doña Ana, New Mexico. Garcia is related to the original founders that settled Doña Ana village circa 1840. In 1966, as a Red Cross volunteer at the Third Field Army Hospital during the Vietnam War, Garcia developed her call to public service. After time spent abroad, Garcia returned to her native roots and began coursework in an anthropology degree program at New Mexico State University. Garcia earned a BA in anthropology in 1983 and a MA in anthropology in 1985. Upon completion of her master’s degree in 1985, Mary Jane Garcia published a thesis titled: "An Ethno History of Doña Ana" which became the first documented history of Doña Ana Village. In 1988 Mary Jane Garcia successfully won a bid to the New Mexico state Senate to represent Senate District 36. Garcia is currently a retired businesswoman.
June 23 NEA issues following via a press release:“America’s public schools badly need public officials who understand the needs of our students and work to secure the resources educators need to fulfill students’ academic potential,” said Dennis Van Roekel, NEA president. “Sen. Mary Jane Garcia is such an official.”
“Our Reg Weaver Award is all about helping poor children, and Sen. Garcia has a remarkable record of achievement when it comes to improving the education and health of poor children,” added Van Roekel. (The NEA award is named for Weaver, a classroom teacher who served as NEA president from 2002 to 2008.)
Garcia comes from Doña Ana County, which borders Mexico, has Las Cruces as its county, and is 285 miles south of Santa Fe. She has been a staunch advocate for more funding for public schools and a strong opponent of vouchers that would siphon funds from public schools to support private schools. She also has supported increasing, by more than $6 million, funds for college scholarships for low-income students.
In addition, the senator was instrumental in passing the Subdivision Reform Act, which addresses the need for basic utilities such as running water and sewer systems in the so-called colonias, unincorporated communities with high concentrations of poor Latinos, mainly of Mexican descent. Garcia has also championed legislation that would outlaw human trafficking, impose life sentences for deadly child abuse, and require that missing children be reported within 24 hours of their disappearance.
In the column, Senator Garcia recalled a case in Las Cruces, NM known as the "Baby Briana" case where a six month old infant was beaten and raped countless times by family members. Briana showed physical signs of abuse ranging from broken bones to bite marks to bruises throughout her body.
Sen. Garcia notes that the Baby Briana case gave her the impetus to introduce SB 166 in 2005, which attempted to increase the penalties for deadly child abuse. The article explains that in 2005 SB 166 passed the legislature and was sign into law by then Governor Bill Richardson.
Sen. Garcia states that she and the public has "had enough with innocent children dying from this type of criminal child abuse." In her column Sen. Garcia calls for "the state, law enforcement, local government, municipalities, non-profits, and everyone in the community to work together...to combat this problem."
Sen. Garcia continues, “we need to take the crime of child abuse as serious as we have taken DWI..we need the same level of urgency awareness and commitment for child abuse as we have put forth for DWI."
Garcia concludes, “We all need to report child abuse when we see it. We cannot be afraid of reporting a friend or a family member when a child is being abused. We must step in before it is too late."
Cockfighting enthusiasts have been using an Internet bulletin board to discuss plans to "dig up dirt" on three New Mexico women who are pushing for a ban on cockfighting.
"I have the tools to dig but I just need to know whose grave I'm digging," said a message from Fred Crane of Gamefowl News, a Web site and emailed newsletter based in San Diego.
The names were forwarded to Crane in a private e-mail, but the women were not identified on the public bulletin board.
Crane, contacted by the Journal, confirmed that the exchange on the Internet was bona fide. He would not say who has been targeted.
He said the effort is "the same thing a politician would do...It's exactly what you're trying to do right now-digging up dirt," he said.
Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Dona Ana, who is sponsoring legislation to ban cockfighting in New Mexico, said she had not heard about cockfighters' plans, but was unfazed.
"Whatever grave they want to dig for me-go ahead and dig it," Garcia said. "I will do what I need to do as a senator."
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Gov. Bill Richardson signed a measure Monday that outlaws cockfighting in New Mexico, leaving Louisiana as the only state where the centuries-old bloodsport remains legal.
State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, who has introduced legislation to ban cockfighting over the past 18 years, thanked Richardson, who until this legislative session had declined to take a stance on the issue. The prohibition takes effect June 15.
"Today, New Mexico joins 48 other states in affirming that the deliberate killing of animals for entertainment and profit is no longer acceptable," said Garcia, D-Dona Ana.
Richardson signed the bill at a ceremony at the state Capitol in Santa Fe.
During a cockfight, two roosters fitted with blades or gaffs on their legs are placed into a pit and fight until one is dead or badly wounded. Although gambling on the fights is illegal, spectators openly wager on the outcome.
Wayne Pacelle, president of The Humane Society, called the law's passage "a major moment in the effort to rid our nation of this barbaric and reprehensible practice."
"New Mexico removed an ugly blemish today, and it is a proud moment for the state," Pacelle said.
Despite serving on the Senate's Ethics Subcommittee Senator Garcia has been criticized for using her public position to protect her bar's interests when cited for serving minors and serving intoxicated patrons.
In 2006 Garcia criticized Governor Bill Richardson for enacting tougher penalties for serving minors and intoxicated persons. On May 25, 2007 Garcia's own bar, Victoria's Lounge, was cited for serving intoxicated persons. Several weeks later Garcia held a meeting in Mesilla, to criticize Regulation and Licensing Department officials.
Garcia was criticized for creating an appearance of impropriety as a result of the citation.
On July 12, 2010, the Las Cruces Sun-News ran an article entitled "Garcia: Campaign to blame for death." In light of extreme child abuse of 5-year-old Angel Jimenez that resulted in death, Sen. Garcia made the following comment: "Everyone's running for office right now. I don't know who's running the district attorney's office, the sheriff's office. Everyone's running around campaigning for office." The Sun-News article states that Garcia is campaigning for current Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish (D), who is running for governor against current Doña Ana District Attorney, Susana Martinez (R).
County officials (including D.A. Martinez) were quick to respond to Garcia's comments. Martinez stated "...that a criminal case did not come into the district attorney's office in reference to this child and a child abuse investigation, prior to her recent admission to the hospital." She also stated "We did not receive a criminal case for review or prosecution prior to that date."
County Sheriff Todd Garrison was quoted in the article: "As far as campaigning, I haven't done a darn thing ... I think I put four signs up," Garrison said. "That didn't take but 15 minutes, and my brother did that."
In December 2008, news of an investigation into Bill Richardson's political contributions started to make national news. The news of the federal investigation into Richardson's GRIP (Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership) was reported on as early as August 28, 2008 by New Mexico political reporter Heath Haussamen.
In light of this investigation, Bill Richardson withdrew his nomination as Secretary of Commerce. Sen. Garcia commented on his withdrawal, and her comments were published in the January 6, 2009 edition of the Las Cruces Sun-News. She commented that Richardson's withdrawal "the most shocking thing I've ever heard," and continued by saying "[she] didn't know about any investigation going on." Garcia also stated she thought "...there was something mentioned early on in the media, but it wasn't anything substantive. ... I haven't been aware of any investigation."
Sen. Garcia's comments contrast Senator John Smith's (D-Deming) which were,"[We] weren't surprised" at the withdrawal.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the New Mexico Senate
New Mexico Senate
The New Mexico Senate is the upper house of the New Mexico State Legislature. The Senate consists of 42 members, with each senator representing an equal amount of single-member constituent districts across the state. All senatorial districts are divided to contain a population on average of 43,300...
, representing the 36th District since 1988.
In 1936 Mary Jane Garcia was born in Doña Ana, New Mexico. Garcia is related to the original founders that settled Doña Ana village circa 1840. In 1966, as a Red Cross volunteer at the Third Field Army Hospital during the Vietnam War, Garcia developed her call to public service. After time spent abroad, Garcia returned to her native roots and began coursework in an anthropology degree program at New Mexico State University. Garcia earned a BA in anthropology in 1983 and a MA in anthropology in 1985. Upon completion of her master’s degree in 1985, Mary Jane Garcia published a thesis titled: "An Ethno History of Doña Ana" which became the first documented history of Doña Ana Village. In 1988 Mary Jane Garcia successfully won a bid to the New Mexico state Senate to represent Senate District 36. Garcia is currently a retired businesswoman.
NEA honors Sen. Garcia, a champion for children
NEA announces Sen. Garcia to receive Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights AwardJune 23 NEA issues following via a press release:“America’s public schools badly need public officials who understand the needs of our students and work to secure the resources educators need to fulfill students’ academic potential,” said Dennis Van Roekel, NEA president. “Sen. Mary Jane Garcia is such an official.”
“Our Reg Weaver Award is all about helping poor children, and Sen. Garcia has a remarkable record of achievement when it comes to improving the education and health of poor children,” added Van Roekel. (The NEA award is named for Weaver, a classroom teacher who served as NEA president from 2002 to 2008.)
Garcia comes from Doña Ana County, which borders Mexico, has Las Cruces as its county, and is 285 miles south of Santa Fe. She has been a staunch advocate for more funding for public schools and a strong opponent of vouchers that would siphon funds from public schools to support private schools. She also has supported increasing, by more than $6 million, funds for college scholarships for low-income students.
In addition, the senator was instrumental in passing the Subdivision Reform Act, which addresses the need for basic utilities such as running water and sewer systems in the so-called colonias, unincorporated communities with high concentrations of poor Latinos, mainly of Mexican descent. Garcia has also championed legislation that would outlaw human trafficking, impose life sentences for deadly child abuse, and require that missing children be reported within 24 hours of their disappearance.
Let's Step Up Child Abuse Prevention
This column was published in the Albuquerque Journal newspaper Sunday July 11, 2010. Referring to a child abuse case in Anthony, NM Senator Garcia commented, "It feels like my heart has died a thousand times with the recent 'Baby Angel' child abuse case."In the column, Senator Garcia recalled a case in Las Cruces, NM known as the "Baby Briana" case where a six month old infant was beaten and raped countless times by family members. Briana showed physical signs of abuse ranging from broken bones to bite marks to bruises throughout her body.
Sen. Garcia notes that the Baby Briana case gave her the impetus to introduce SB 166 in 2005, which attempted to increase the penalties for deadly child abuse. The article explains that in 2005 SB 166 passed the legislature and was sign into law by then Governor Bill Richardson.
Sen. Garcia states that she and the public has "had enough with innocent children dying from this type of criminal child abuse." In her column Sen. Garcia calls for "the state, law enforcement, local government, municipalities, non-profits, and everyone in the community to work together...to combat this problem."
Sen. Garcia continues, “we need to take the crime of child abuse as serious as we have taken DWI..we need the same level of urgency awareness and commitment for child abuse as we have put forth for DWI."
Garcia concludes, “We all need to report child abuse when we see it. We cannot be afraid of reporting a friend or a family member when a child is being abused. We must step in before it is too late."
Animal Protection of New Mexico Announces Recipients of Milagro Awards
On Sunday Dec. 31, 2000 the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper reports: Sen. Garcia receives the Executive Director's Award for distinguished achievement in assuring humane treatment of animals. Senator Garcia passed legislation making extreme animal cruelty a felony offense.Women Fighting For Ban Targeted
Cockfighting group wants to 'dig up dirt' about three people pushing for lawCockfighting enthusiasts have been using an Internet bulletin board to discuss plans to "dig up dirt" on three New Mexico women who are pushing for a ban on cockfighting.
"I have the tools to dig but I just need to know whose grave I'm digging," said a message from Fred Crane of Gamefowl News, a Web site and emailed newsletter based in San Diego.
The names were forwarded to Crane in a private e-mail, but the women were not identified on the public bulletin board.
Crane, contacted by the Journal, confirmed that the exchange on the Internet was bona fide. He would not say who has been targeted.
He said the effort is "the same thing a politician would do...It's exactly what you're trying to do right now-digging up dirt," he said.
Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Dona Ana, who is sponsoring legislation to ban cockfighting in New Mexico, said she had not heard about cockfighters' plans, but was unfazed.
"Whatever grave they want to dig for me-go ahead and dig it," Garcia said. "I will do what I need to do as a senator."
Gov. Bill Richardson signs bill outlawing cockfighting in New Mexico
This article was published in the USA Today, March 12, 2007.ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Gov. Bill Richardson signed a measure Monday that outlaws cockfighting in New Mexico, leaving Louisiana as the only state where the centuries-old bloodsport remains legal.
State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, who has introduced legislation to ban cockfighting over the past 18 years, thanked Richardson, who until this legislative session had declined to take a stance on the issue. The prohibition takes effect June 15.
"Today, New Mexico joins 48 other states in affirming that the deliberate killing of animals for entertainment and profit is no longer acceptable," said Garcia, D-Dona Ana.
Richardson signed the bill at a ceremony at the state Capitol in Santa Fe.
During a cockfight, two roosters fitted with blades or gaffs on their legs are placed into a pit and fight until one is dead or badly wounded. Although gambling on the fights is illegal, spectators openly wager on the outcome.
Wayne Pacelle, president of The Humane Society, called the law's passage "a major moment in the effort to rid our nation of this barbaric and reprehensible practice."
"New Mexico removed an ugly blemish today, and it is a proud moment for the state," Pacelle said.
Criticism for using public position to protect her bar's interests
Despite serving on the Senate's Ethics Subcommittee Senator Garcia has been criticized for using her public position to protect her bar's interests when cited for serving minors and serving intoxicated patrons.
In 2006 Garcia criticized Governor Bill Richardson for enacting tougher penalties for serving minors and intoxicated persons. On May 25, 2007 Garcia's own bar, Victoria's Lounge, was cited for serving intoxicated persons. Several weeks later Garcia held a meeting in Mesilla, to criticize Regulation and Licensing Department officials.
Garcia was criticized for creating an appearance of impropriety as a result of the citation.
Death of Angel Jimenez
On July 12, 2010, the Las Cruces Sun-News ran an article entitled "Garcia: Campaign to blame for death." In light of extreme child abuse of 5-year-old Angel Jimenez that resulted in death, Sen. Garcia made the following comment: "Everyone's running for office right now. I don't know who's running the district attorney's office, the sheriff's office. Everyone's running around campaigning for office." The Sun-News article states that Garcia is campaigning for current Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish (D), who is running for governor against current Doña Ana District Attorney, Susana Martinez (R).
County officials (including D.A. Martinez) were quick to respond to Garcia's comments. Martinez stated "...that a criminal case did not come into the district attorney's office in reference to this child and a child abuse investigation, prior to her recent admission to the hospital." She also stated "We did not receive a criminal case for review or prosecution prior to that date."
County Sheriff Todd Garrison was quoted in the article: "As far as campaigning, I haven't done a darn thing ... I think I put four signs up," Garrison said. "That didn't take but 15 minutes, and my brother did that."
Investigation of Governor Bill Richardson
In December 2008, news of an investigation into Bill Richardson's political contributions started to make national news. The news of the federal investigation into Richardson's GRIP (Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership) was reported on as early as August 28, 2008 by New Mexico political reporter Heath Haussamen.
In light of this investigation, Bill Richardson withdrew his nomination as Secretary of Commerce. Sen. Garcia commented on his withdrawal, and her comments were published in the January 6, 2009 edition of the Las Cruces Sun-News. She commented that Richardson's withdrawal "the most shocking thing I've ever heard," and continued by saying "[she] didn't know about any investigation going on." Garcia also stated she thought "...there was something mentioned early on in the media, but it wasn't anything substantive. ... I haven't been aware of any investigation."
Sen. Garcia's comments contrast Senator John Smith's (D-Deming) which were,"[We] weren't surprised" at the withdrawal.
External links
- New Mexico Legislature - Senator Mary Jane M. Garcia official NM Senate website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Mary Jane M. Garcia (NM) profile
- Follow the Money - Mary Jane M Garcia