On Monday, April 10th, Discourse in Democracy hosted Antonio “Tony” Garza, America’s ambassador to Mexico from 2002–2009. Over a hundred students and faculty members attended his talk entitled “Development and Democracy in Today’s Mexico.” The lecture and the Q & A session which followed explored a wide range of topics including Mr. Garza’s personal experiences as an ambassador, national security strategies, the future of democracy in Mexico, and immigration. Ambassador Garza also spoke about how it he got involved in public service and offered advice on pursuing a career in public service.
Prior to the lecture, fifteen students met with Ambassador Garza for dinner. After the meal, he spoke with them about growing up in Brownsville, as well as his career in public service and becoming America’s ambassador to Mexico.
One of the top experts on U.S.- Mexico relations and on the business and political environments of both nations, Ambassador Garza currently serves as Counsel in the Mexico City office of White & Case LLP, one of the world’s leading global law firms. In recognition of his work as ambassador, Mexico rewarded him with the Águila Azteca — the highest award Mexico grants to noncitizens — in 2009.
