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by Jorge Garcia Montes (Author), Antonio Alonso Avila (Author)
Jorge García Montes was born in New York, United States, on october 19, 1898. His father, José María García Montes, was exiled during the war of Cuba's independence against the Spaniards. Later, he became the first Secretary of Finance in 1902 with the first President of the Republic of Cuba, Tomás Estrada Palma. He studied at the University of Havana, where he graduated with a Law degree in 1917. An eminent student, he recieved several awards, among them the Lanuza prize. Elected to the House of Representatives from the Province of Santa Clara, García Montes was a member of the Liberal Party. He married Concepción Morales y de la Torre on January 21, 1924, and together they had a daughter, Graciela. His term as Representative ended abruptly when he had to leave Cuba for exile during the Revolution that overthrew General Gerardo Machado, his personal friend, in 1933. His exile lasted around two and a half year. Following his return to Cuba he was elected Senator from the Province of Santa Clara. He was Prime Minister from February 24, 1955 through March 26, 1957, in General Batista's governemnt. Later he served as Minister of Education.He left Cuba in April, 1959 through the Embassy of Colombia and arrived in the United States in May or June, 1959. In exile, he wrote the book History of the Communist Party of Cuba along with Dr. Antonio Alonso Ávila. "He liked to go to horse races and play dominoes. He had many friends that were retired as he was. (Rosell)." Dr. García Montes died on June 21, 1982 at Mercy Hospital in Miami. According to his daughter, Graciela, Dr. García Montes "was a decent, honorable, and honest person in his public and private life. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He dedicated himself to us and, I believe, enjoyed life. In my way of thinking he was a man of great intelligence."
