Javier L. Garza, 60, passed away March 16, 2009 in Saltillo, Mexico.

Javier was the 24^th Peace Corps Director in the Dominican Republic serving from 2003 to 2005, and then was assigned as Director in Bolivia until 2007. He previously served two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru in 1970 to 1972.

Javier is remembered as a friendly, soft spoken, humorous, and cooperative leader whose door was always open to any Peace Corps Volunteer, staff, or RPCV visitor. He was very committed to facilitating program progress with both the Friends of the Dominican Republic and the Fondo Quisqueya with whom he worked closely in planning the very successful 45^th Anniversary PCDR conference and reunion held in Santo Domingo in 2005.

His accidental death while riding in a tourist bus in Mexico was an untimely tragedy. His family and many Peace Corps friends sadly miss Javier and his always-present smile.