Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas House Bill HR963 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	H.R. No. 963
	1	+	85R17769 BPG-D
	2	+	By: Guerra H.R. No. 963
2	3
3	4
4	5		R E S O L U T I O N
5	6		WHEREAS, A life dedicated to his state and nation drew to a
6	7		close with the death of former United States congressman Eligio de
7	8		la Garza of Mission on March 13, 2017, at the age of 89; and
8	9		WHEREAS, Born to Dario and Elisa de la Garza in Mercedes on
9	10		September 22, 1927, "Kika" de la Garza grew up in Mission; he left
10	11		high school to enlist in the United States Navy in the final months
11	12		of World War II, and after attending Edinburg Junior College and
12	13		St. Mary's University, he served his country again during the
13	14		Korean War as an artillery officer in the army; he completed his law
14	15		degree at St. Mary's University and in 1952, at the age of 24, he
15	16		won election to the Texas House of Representatives; and
16	17		WHEREAS, Mr. de la Garza won reelection five times, and
17	18		during his tenure, he authored legislation to protect the
18	19		environment and promote early childhood education; in 1965, he
19	20		became only the second Hispanic elected to the U.S. Congress from
20	21		Texas; he was immediately assigned to the Agriculture Committee,
21	22		and he shepherded major farm bills to passage and served as
22	23		committee chair for 14 years; moreover, he was a driving force in
23	24		the development of the nation's first state-run system of
24	25		English-language instruction for preschool children, and as a
25	26		steadfast champion of civil rights, he worked tirelessly to broaden
26	27		access to educational opportunities; he also fought for better
27	28		living conditions and health care for the most vulnerable,
28	29		including veterans and the elderly; and
29	30		WHEREAS, Over the course of 32 years in office, Mr. de la
30	31		Garza enhanced the lives of his constituents in myriad ways; he
31	32		played a vital role in the El Morillo Drain project that improved
32	33		water quality for the entire Rio Grande Valley, and he contributed
33	34		to economic development through his involvement in the construction
34	35		of the Falcon and Anzalduas Dams, the Amistad Reservoir, and the
35	36		Pharr-Reynosa and McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridges;
36	37		in addition, as an influential proponent of free trade, he helped
37	38		secure the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement and
38	39		the expansion of the International General Agreement on Tariffs and
39	40		Trade; and
40	41		WHEREAS, A leading expert on U.S.-Mexican relations, Mr. de
41	42		la Garza was instrumental in building stronger bonds between the
42	43		nations, and he was the first member of Congress to receive the
43	44		Order of the Aztec Eagle award, Mexico's highest honor for
44	45		noncitizens; he was also a founding member and longtime chair of the
45	46		Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and he earned wide admiration for
46	47		his ability to work across the aisle to achieve meaningful change;
47	48		and
48	49		WHEREAS, Deeply committed to his community, Mr. de la Garza
49	50		was a member of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the Rio Grande
50	51		Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Museum of South Texas
51	52		History, the Mission Historical Museum, the Order of the Alhambra
52	53		Mosara 260, and the Knights of Columbus Council 8298, as well as
53	54		Catholic War Veterans Post 1065 and American Legion Post 101;
54	55		numerous streets and public facilities in the Rio Grande Valley and
55	56		beyond were named in his honor, and he was the recipient of a host of
56	57		accolades; and
57	58		WHEREAS, Above all, Mr. de la Garza was devoted to his large
58	59		extended family; he shared a rewarding marriage of 63 years with his
59	60		wife, Lucille, and took great pride in their children, Jorge,
60	61		Michael, and Angela, their grandchildren, Christina, Jorge, Laura,
61	62		Mariel, Michael, Michelle, Jennifer, and Philip, and their
62	63		great-grandchild, Jaxon; and
63	64		WHEREAS, Through his vision, leadership, and dedication to
64	65		social justice, Kika de la Garza made a tremendous positive impact
65	66		on the state and nation, and he leaves behind a legacy that will
66	67		resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
67	68		RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
68	69		Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Eligio "Kika" de la
69	70		Garza and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many friends;
70	71		and, be it further
71	72		RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
72	73		prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
73	74		Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Kika de la
74	75		Garza.
75		-	Guerra
76		-	Martinez
77		-	Muñoz, Jr.
78		-	Guillen
79		-	Canales
80		-	______________________________
81		-	Speaker of the House
82		-	I certify that H.R. No. 963 was unanimously adopted by a
83		-	rising vote of the House on March 30, 2017.
84		-	______________________________
85		-	Chief Clerk of the House