Who was the surgeon and WWII veteran who led the Chicano Movement and was the first Mexican American to serve on the US Commission on Civil Rights?

• A. Cesar Chavez
• B. Hector Perez Garcia
• C. Dolores Huerta
• D. Reies Lopez Tijerina

Answer: (B)

This question tests recognizing a Mexican American civil rights leader who combined a medical career, military service, and government civil rights leadership. Hector Perez Garcia was a surgeon who served in World War II and then became a prominent advocate for Mexican American rights, founding the American GI Forum to help veterans and push for equal treatment in education, housing, and public services. His work at the national level culminated in his appointment as the first Mexican American member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, reflecting a milestone in federal civil rights leadership for the community. This blend of professional medicine, military service, and formal civil rights leadership distinguishes him from the others listed, who were influential activists or organizers in the Chicano movement but did not serve on the Civil Rights Commission.