By Wise H.R. No. 144
75R5819 JTR-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Many former members of the Texas Legislature have
1-2 gone on to serve in the United States Congress; of this select
1-3 group, one of the most eminent is the Honorable E. "Kika" de la
1-4 Garza, and his many accomplishments as a lawmaker and statesman are
1-5 indeed worthy of special praise and recognition; and
1-6 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Congressman de la Garza attended
1-7 Mission High School before, at age 17, joining the United States
1-8 Navy, where he served in both World War II and the Korean War;
1-9 after earning his law degree from St. Mary's University in 1952, he
1-10 opened his law practice in the Rio Grande Valley and was elected
1-11 to the first of his six consecutive terms in the Texas House of
1-12 Representatives; and
1-13 WHEREAS, In January 1965, Congressman de la Garza was sworn
1-14 in as a member of the 89th Congress, and in the years since, has
1-15 established himself as one of the ablest members of the House of
1-16 Representatives; a forceful advocate for our nation's agricultural
1-17 industry, he chaired the House Agriculture Committee from 1981 to
1-18 1994 and in so doing became the first Hispanic American to head a
1-19 standing committee in that chamber; and
1-20 WHEREAS, Congressman de la Garza's expertise on foreign trade
1-21 is also well known, particularly with regard to Mexico; he has
1-22 served as chairman of the House delegation to the Mexico-U.S.
1-23 Interparliamentary Group, which is composed of legislators from
1-24 both countries, and has worked to improve trade relations with
2-1 Japan, China, Russia, and Latin America; and
2-2 WHEREAS, The great esteem in which Congressman de la Garza is
2-3 held is apparent from the many awards and honors he has received
2-4 from around the world, including the Order of the Aztec Eagle,
2-5 Mexico's highest award for foreign citizens, and the first Lifetime
2-6 Achievement Award ever presented by Israel's Volcani Center; he has
2-7 also been awarded honorary law doctorates by the University of
2-8 Maryland, Lincoln University, and Hanyang University in Seoul,
2-9 South Korea; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Congressman de la Garza's commitment to his
2-11 community extends far beyond his professional life, and he has
2-12 given freely of his time and talent to a number of organizations,
2-13 including the American Legion, the Kiwanis Club, the Council of
2-14 State Governments, Catholic War Veterans, and the chambers of
2-15 commerce of Mission, McAllen, and the Rio Grande Valley; and
2-16 WHEREAS, Throughout his remarkable career, Congressman de la
2-17 Garza has relied on the support of his large and loving family, and
2-18 he and his wife, the former Lucille Alamia, take great pride in
2-19 their three children, Jorge, Michael, and Angela, and their seven
2-20 grandchildren; and
2-21 WHEREAS, Congressman Kika de la Garza's lifelong dedication
2-22 to the service of his fellow citizens has greatly benefited
2-23 Americans and people around the world, and it is indeed appropriate
2-24 at this time to recognize the many achievements of this notable
2-25 Texan; now, therefore, be it
2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas
2-27 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the Honorable E. "Kika" de la
3-1 Garza for his distinguished service to his state, his country, and
3-2 his community and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
3-3 success and happiness in the future; and, be it further
3-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-5 prepared for Congressman de la Garza as an expression of high
3-6 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.