[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H7639-H7640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             KIKA DE LA GARZA UNITED STATES BORDER STATION

  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 994) to designate the U.S. border station located in Pharr, TX, 
as the ``Kika de la Garza United States Border Station''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 997

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The United States border station located in Pharr, Texas, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Kika de la Garza 
     United States Border Station''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the border station 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Kika de la Garza United States Border Station''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Kim] and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim].
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 994 designates the United States border 
station in Pharr, TX as the Kika de la Garza United States Border 
Station. Kika de la Garza was a distinguished Member of this body of 32 
years. During his tenure he became one of the most outspoken advocates 
for U.S. agriculture. He was first elected to the House of 
Representatives in 1964. Since his first term in Congress he has been a 
member of the Committee on Agriculture, from 1981 to 1994. Kika de la 
Garza served as a chairman of this committee and successfully oversaw 
the passage of three omnibus farm bills in 1981, 1985, and 1990. He has 
also been successful in securing Federal funds to provide water and 
sewer services to depressed areas of Texas.
  The distinguished gentleman from Texas retired from Congress at the 
end of the 104th Congress. He was a respected colleague whose presence 
will be missed by many. The naming of the U.S. border station in his 
honor is a fitting tribute to Congressman Kika de la Garza. I support 
this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very honored today to participate in the passing of 
this bill, being the sponsor of H.R. 994. Kika de la Garza was just a 
great man. I think the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] has outlined 
many of his contributions. I would just like to say that he was the 
first Hispanic American to become a chair of a standing committee in 
this body, that being the Committee on Agriculture, and under his 
watchful eye legitimate substantive reform legislation for the USDA was 
crafted that made many needed and important changes, and those changes 
helped America's farmers and protected the public as well. That bill 
ultimately became law, and it made remarkable changes at USDA, and 
because of Chairman de la Garza's leadership and counsel the bill 
represented the right way to reinvent government, take government back 
to the people, and that is, I believe, the outstanding legacy of Kika 
de la Garza.
  He never forgot the people that he served. Throughout those 32 years 
he fought tirelessly for his constituents, and he believed that all 
Americans and especially every farmer was his specific constituent, and 
how true he was.
  We miss that smile, we miss his savvy, his common sense, and he 
always had a good word, and if he did not have a good word, he saved 
his word. I think everybody loved him.
  I would just like to add here that the chairman, Kika de la Garza, 
was an amateur linguist and gourmet cook; that is right. And on many 
occasions he conversed with foreign dignitaries in their native tongue, 
to the surprise of people around the world at the scope and breath of 
his knowledge and intelligence. I am proud to have called him my 
friend, and I am honored to have sponsored this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas 
[Mr. Moran].
  (Mr. MORAN of Kansas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding 
this time to me. I apologize for being a few minutes late, but I rise 
today to join my colleagues in seeking to honor former Senator and 
Majority Leader Bob Dole by renaming the Federal Court House located in 
Kansas City, KS the Robert J. Dole United States Courthouse. I am 
extremely pleased to have the opportunity to officially recognize and 
pay tribute to my fellow Kansan.
  Growing up in western Kansas, I like so many others viewed Bob Dole 
as more than just a war hero, which he truly was, more than an able 
statesman which also he truly was, and more than an articulate voice 
for the disabled and veterans, which he truly was. To me he is someone 
who exemplifies the heritage of Kansas, hard-working, determined and 
having the ability to overcome great adversity.
  Like our State's motto which means ``to the stars through 
difficulty,'' Bob Dole rose to be one of the most distinguished figures 
of this century and did so while overcoming tremendous obstacles. His 
ascendancy to greatness began from his family's humble beginnings in 
Russell, KS, to the war-ravaged mountains of northern Italy and 
ultimately to serve as majority leader of the United States. As a young 
man Bob Dole was a athlete and scholar, and like so many of his 
generation, went off without hesitation to defend his country. On a 
snow-covered mountain in northern Italy he suffered near fatal wounds. 
Later, after a difficult and prolonged recovery, he returned to Kansas 
to finish his education utilizing the GI bill and embarked upon a 
public career we pay tribute to here today.
  Bob Dole's appreciation for his boyhood community and the State of 
Kansas is without question. As a reminder of where he came from and 
what shaped his character throughout his career, he kept a cigar box on 
his desk containing receipts of various contributions made by his 
neighbors and friends to help pay for his difficult recovery after the 
war. Those receipts might have been for a dollar, 5 cents, 15 cents, it 
did not matter. Collectively they not only aided his rehabilitation, 
but they helped to find his sense of purpose and determination to give 
back to a community that had given so much to him.

                              {time}  1700

  Many people have told me how years ago they would pass the Russell 
County Courthouse late at night and notice the second floor light on. 
It was the light of the young county prosecutor named Bob Dole. Though 
his injuries from the war required him to spend long, additional hours 
at work, he never complained and continued to work tirelessly.
  Later he went on to serve Kansas's First Congressional District, 
which I am honored to serve, and then in the U.S. Senate. Senator Dole 
set an example while in both the House and Senate. It is his legacy 
that I must now attempt to follow.
  Culminating his distinguished career in public service, Bob Dole was 
nominated by my party as the Presidential candidate for the 1996 
election. In achieving all of his great accomplishments, Bob Dole 
served with character, candor, and a cunning wit that cannot be 
matched.

[[Page H7640]]

  Mr. Speaker, renaming this Federal Court House as the Robert J. Dole 
United States Courthouse is a simple tribute to a great man and 
reflects our Nation's admiration and appreciation for his service. 
Kansans especially appreciate Senator Dole's dedication to them. His 
service will long be remembered.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Chairman, I would like to say a few words about 
H.R. 994, a bill to designate the border crossing station in Pharr, TX, 
in honor of Kika de la Garza. As you are aware, I am the sponsor of 
H.R. 994, a bill to honor my friend and former colleague, Kika de la 
Garza. He was the first Hispanic-American to become a chair of a 
standing committee, the Agriculture Committee.
  Under his watchful eye, reform legislation for USDA was crafted that 
made many needed and important changes--without eviscerating those USDA 
programs that were effective and needed to help America's farmers and 
protected the public. The bill that ultimately became law made 
remarkable changes at USDA. Because of Chairman de la Garza's 
leadership and sage counsel the bill represented the right way to 
reinvent Government.
  Throughout his 32-year career in Congress, Kika never lost sight of 
the folks back home. He fought tirelessly for his constituents. He also 
proved to be an able and effective advocate for American farmers. In no 
small measure because of his leadership, American agriculture remains 
the envy of the world.
  Kika also is an amateur linguist and gourmet cook. On many occasions 
he conversed with foreign dignitaries in their native tongue. 
Personally, Kika is my friend. I am proud to sponsor this legislation.
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 994 to 
designate the U.S. border station located in Pharr, TX, as the ``Kika 
de la Garza U.S. Border Station.'' I believe this is an appropriate way 
to honor Congressman de la Garza's many years of service to the United 
States and the State of Texas, during which he provided tremendous 
leadership in support of agriculture, economic growth of south Texas, 
improved relations with Mexico, a better quality of life for residents 
along the border, and many other issues.
  I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve in Congress with 
Kika de la Garza, even if for only 2 of his 32 years in this body. He 
is an example to all of us of a true gentleman and public servant who 
brought honor to this House through the civility, respect, and 
commitment to doing what is right that he brought to conducting the 
people's business. He is also a true Texan who worked with his 
colleagues from both sides of the aisle to further the best interests 
of our State.
  Congressman de la Garza is best remembered for his leadership on 
behalf of American agriculture. He served as chairman of the 
Agriculture Committee for a longer interrupted period than anyone else 
in history and presided over the drafting and successful enactment of 
three major omnibus farm bills, 1981, 1985, and 1990, that have 
reformed our Nation's agricultural policies. He also guided efforts to 
reduce the cost of agricultural programs through several deficit 
reduction bills that have been approved by Congress. His other 
legislative accomplishments include legislation to streamline the 
agricultural lending system, strengthen Federal pesticide laws, and 
various other measures to assist American agriculture, encourage rural 
development, and improve human nutrition.
  Congressman de la Garza was also one of Congress' leading experts on 
United States-Mexico relations and a proponent of greater trade with 
Mexico. In 1966, he became the first Member of Congress from the Texas-
Mexico border area to serve on the Mexico-United States 
Interparliamentary Group, which promotes dialog between legislators 
from the two countries. He was an early congressional supporter of 
opening negotiations with Mexico to develop a free trade agreement and 
helped rally congressional support that led to approval of the North 
American Free Trade Agreement [NAFTA].
  Throughout his career, Kika de la Garza also fought for Government 
policies that fostered better living and economic conditions for all 
Americans but particularly in south Texas. He obtained Federal funds to 
provide much-needed water and sewer services to Texas' impoverished 
colonias. He was a strong supporter of civil rights for all Americans, 
better educational opportunities, and improved access to health care 
for the elderly, veterans, and low-income individuals. He also 
supported policies to improve the Nation's infrastructure and maintain 
a strong, cost-effective national defense.
  Our entire Nation benefited from Kika de la Garza's service in 
Congress, and his legacy includes an agricultural system that continues 
to lead and feed the world, better relations and expanded trade with 
Mexico and other nations, and a better quality of life for many Texans 
and Americans. I am pleased to join my colleagues in honoring Kika de 
la Garza and in urging approval of this legislation to designate the 
Kika de la Garza United States Border Station.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon in 
support of H.R. 994, legislation designating the Kika de la Garza U.S. 
Border Station in honor of our former Democratic colleague from my home 
State of Texas. This legislation is a fitting honor to a great 
legislator.
  Born in 1927, Kika de la Garza is currently husband to Lucille and 
the father of three children. He attended Edinburg Junior College, 
received his law degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX, 
and practiced law in southern Texas. De la Garza was a U.S. artillery 
officer in Korea.
  Former Representative de la Garza began his career in public service 
as a six-term Member of the Texas House of Representatives. In 1964, he 
was elected by the people of the 15th Congressional District of Texas 
to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives. After 32 years 
of service de la Garza retired from public office in December 1996.
  A member of the House Agriculture Committee beginning in 1965, 
Representatives de la Garza served as chairman of the committee from 
1981 to 1994. In that role Representatives de la Garza was a true 
friend of agriculture. He was a strong supporter of the agriculture 
industry and cast many deciding votes for the industry over thee years. 
He will be remembered for his faithful commitment to farmers, ranchers, 
and U.S. agricultural industry. Representative de la Garza's 
accomplishments during his career included support of farm legislation, 
an overhaul of the agricultural lending system, and reform in Federal 
crop insurance and pesticide law.
  Representative de la Garza was also a friend to the citizens of the 
State of Texas. He will be remembered for his steadfast dedication and 
outstanding leadership in support of better living and economic 
conditions, and for his ardent support of the educational research and 
extension activities of Texas universities.
  I would like to offer the leadership of both parties my thanks for 
bringing this measure before the House for consideration. It is a 
fitting tribute to one of our former leaders. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in support of this legislation.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the designation of the 
Kika de la Garza U.S. Border Station. Representative de la Garza has 
duly earned this honor for the dedication he has demonstrated not only 
to the people of Texas but to the entire agricultural community of our 
Nation for the last 33 years.
  Kika de la Garza started humbly. His first job was as a shoeshine boy 
on the streets of McAllen. His hard word and dedication earned him a 
seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 1953, where he served 
until 1965. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964 
and served with us for 16 consecutive terms.
  In 1982, he became chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and 
served in this position for 14 years.
  During that period he has shown selfless dedication to the people of 
our Nation who earned their livelihood from the land and who grow food 
for all of us. He has focused the spotlight on important issues such as 
drought relief, pesticide use, and land preservation. Due to his 
efforts, he made the Agriculture Committee one of the least partisan in 
the House.
  Accordingly, I strongly urge my colleagues to join with me in support 
of the designation of the Kika de la Garza U.S. Border House. It is 
rare to honor someone who is so deserving of this kind of accolade.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I 
urge the adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 994.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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