[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 74 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        LEGISLATION TO HONOR FORMER CONGRESSMAN KIKA DE LA GARZA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 1999

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
designate the U.S. border station located in Pharr, Texas, as the 
``Kika de la Garza United States Border Station.'' The bill is 
identical to legislation I introduced in the last Congress. That bill 
was approved unanimously by the House. Unfortunately, no action was 
taken on the legislation by the other body. I am proud to reintroduce 
this bill honoring a great legislator, former Congressman Kika de la 
Garza.
  Kika de la Garza was born in Mercedes, Texas on September 22, 1927. 
He earned his law degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, 
Texas in 1952. He served in the Navy from 1945 to 1946, and in the Army 
from 1950 to 1952. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 
1953 to 1965.
  In 1964 he was elected to Congress, where he was sent back to 
Congress by the people of the 15th Congressional District of Texas for 
16 terms. In 1981 Kika became the chairman of the House Agriculture 
Committee. During his 14-year tenure as chairman, Kika compiled an 
impressive record of achievement and dedicated service to America's 
farming community.
  Most notably, Kika went out of his way to foster a climate of 
cooperation, inclusiveness and bi-partisanship on the committee. Under 
his able leadership, the Agriculture Committee was able to form a 
consensus on a number of important and intricate agricultural issues.
  In the 103rd Congress Kika played a lead role in the enactment of 
legislation revamping and streamlining the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture. Kika de la Garza guided through legislation that made many 
needed and important changes, without eviscerating those USDA programs 
that were effective and needed to help America's farmers and protect 
the public.
  The bill, now 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.
  The former chairman is also an amateur linguist and a gourmet cook. 
On many occasions he conversed with foreign dignitaries in their native 
tongue. On a personal level, Kika is my good friend, and I am so proud 
to sponsor this legislation.
  I urge all my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation.

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