85R17769 BPG-D     By: Canales H.R. No. 967       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.