Corpus Christi attorney Mary Alice Garcia, right, receives the Child Support Managing Attorney of the Year award from Deputy Attorney General Alicia G. Key, left.
CORPUS CHRISTI � Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott recognized Corpus Christi child support attorney Mary Alice Garcia for her commitment to Texas children.
Garcia, who was named "Managing Attorney of the Year," received the honor Nov. 3 at the Statewide Child Support Managers' Meeting in Austin.
"Mary Alice Garcia's dedication and commitment to public service has helped ensure thousands of young Texans receive the child support they need to grow healthy and strong," Abbott said. "Mary Alice is an outstanding manager and a tremendous asset to the child support division. We are grateful to Mary Alice for her service to the children of our great state."
Garcia was selected from among 65 managing attorneys across the state based on recommendations from her peers and supervisors, with a particular focus on her willingness to go beyond her normal duties to serve Texas children.
Garcia joined the Child Support Division in 1993 as a staff attorney and was promoted to managing attorney of the Corpus Christi office in 1998. As managing attorney, Garcia represents the State of Texas in legal actions to establish the legal relationship between children and their biological fathers. She also works to establish, enforce and modify court orders for child support and medical support.
Garcia, a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, was chosen to be the Child Support Division's "Managing Attorney of the Year" because of her success in building productive working relationships with external stakeholders, such as judges, district clerks and law enforcement. In addition, her skills have been vital in standardizing the region's legal processes.
Garcia's colleagues praise her passion for providing young Texans the financial and medical support they need and deserve.
"Mary Alice Garcia consistently demonstrates dedication, commitment and integrity in the performance of her duties," said Regional Administrator Oni Duberney. "Her excellent organizational skills result in more efficient operations and improved services to families."
The Corpus Christi child support office handles 17,000 child support cases and collected $33 million in child support for the state fiscal year that ended Aug. 31.
For more information about the Office of the Attorney General and the child support services it offers, call (800) 252-8014 or visit the agency's website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.