85R17769 BPG-D
By: Muñoz, Jr. H.R. No. 1551
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life dedicated to his state and nation drew to a
close with the death of former United States congressman Eligio de
la Garza of Mission on March 13, 2017, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Born to Dario and Elisa de la Garza in Mercedes on
September 22, 1927, "Kika" de la Garza grew up in Mission; he left
high school to enlist in the United States Navy in the final months
of World War II, and after attending Edinburg Junior College and
St. Mary's University, he served his country again during the
Korean War as an artillery officer in the army; he completed his law
degree at St. Mary's University and in 1952, at the age of 24, he
won election to the Texas House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, Mr. de la Garza won reelection five times, and
during his tenure, he authored legislation to protect the
environment and promote early childhood education; in 1965, he
became only the second Hispanic elected to the U.S. Congress from
Texas; he was immediately assigned to the Agriculture Committee,
and he shepherded major farm bills to passage and served as
committee chair for 14 years; moreover, he was a driving force in
the development of the nation's first state-run system of
English-language instruction for preschool children, and as a
steadfast champion of civil rights, he worked tirelessly to broaden
access to educational opportunities; he also fought for better
living conditions and health care for the most vulnerable,
including veterans and the elderly; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of 32 years in office, Mr. de la
Garza enhanced the lives of his constituents in myriad ways; he
played a vital role in the El Morillo Drain project that improved
water quality for the entire Rio Grande Valley, and he contributed
to economic development through his involvement in the construction
of the Falcon and Anzalduas Dams, the Amistad Reservoir, and the
Pharr-Reynosa and McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridges;
in addition, as an influential proponent of free trade, he helped
secure the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement and
the expansion of the International General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade; and
WHEREAS, A leading expert on U.S.-Mexican relations, Mr. de
la Garza was instrumental in building stronger bonds between the
nations, and he was the first member of Congress to receive the
Order of the Aztec Eagle award, Mexico's highest honor for
noncitizens; he was also a founding member and longtime chair of the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and he earned wide admiration for
his ability to work across the aisle to achieve meaningful change;
and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to his community, Mr. de la Garza
was a member of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the Rio Grande
Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Museum of South Texas
History, the Mission Historical Museum, the Order of the Alhambra
Mosara 260, and the Knights of Columbus Council 8298, as well as
Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 and American Legion Post 101;
numerous streets and public facilities in the Rio Grande Valley and
beyond were named in his honor, and he was the recipient of a host of
accolades; and
WHEREAS, Above all, Mr. de la Garza was devoted to his large
extended family; he shared a rewarding marriage of 63 years with his
wife, Lucille, and took great pride in their children, Jorge,
Michael, and Angela, their grandchildren, Christina, Jorge, Laura,
Mariel, Michael, Michelle, Jennifer, and Philip, and their
great-grandchild, Jaxon; and
WHEREAS, Through his vision, leadership, and dedication to
social justice, Kika de la Garza made a tremendous positive impact
on the state and nation, and he leaves behind a legacy that will
resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Eligio "Kika" de la
Garza and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many friends;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Kika de la
Garza.