[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 126 (Thursday, July 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. LEONEL GARZA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 2020

  Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Leonel Garza of Freer, Texas, who celebrated his birthday along with 
the United States of America this past 4th of July. Mr. Garza has a 
special place in Texas' history for his creation of the Muy Grande, the 
first deer hunting contest in the state.
  Leonel Garza is one of 13 children born to Lazard and Olivia Garza. 
Lazard and Olivia were migrant workers that traveled across Texas and 
the Midwest to support their large family. Leonel married his wife, 
Elda Garcia, in 1961 and settled down in Freer, Texas. At that time, 
Leonel made a living selling gas, tires, and servicing autos at a small 
gas station he managed named Center Circle Gas Station. Here, began the 
formation of the Muy Grande, an unlikely success story.
  Let me preface that Leonel Garza is one of the hardest working 
individuals in South Texas and pays extra special attention to the 
personal relationships he makes throughout life, so it is no surprise 
that success followed. One day in 1965, while Leonel was working at 
Center Circle Gas Station, a man whose car had gotten stuck walked in 
and asked for help. Without hesitation, Leonel dropped everything and 
drove forty miles to help tow the car. After successfully transporting 
the car, Leonel refused to accept anything in return and told the man 
``Just tell you buddies that I'm the hunter's friend.''
  This man happened to be Fred Strong: an Outdoors' Sportswriter. In 
just a few weeks, Leonel's life would change forever, as Fred Strong 
wrote an article about the ``Hunter's Friend'' in Freer, Texas. Fred's 
story was picked up by newspapers all across Texas. The small town of 
Freer became known for its whitetail deer and Leonel Garza. All of a 
sudden, the Center Circle Gas Station had a line of cars filled with 
hunters down the street.
  With the overnight fame, Leonel wanted to boost his gas sales by 
creating a deer hunting contest, the first of its kind in the state of 
Texas. After realizing that he did not have a prize for the first 
contest, he gave the winner the watch off of his own wrist. As this 
contest continued to grow, Leonel named it Muy Grande after the size of 
South Texas deer. Now Muy Grande and Leonel Garza are known world-wide 
and the contest has its own hall of fame and continues to attract 
thousands of visitors each year.
  Leonel's work ethic never ceased, as he earned his Real Estate 
License in 1976 to be able to visit all the South Texas farms he grew 
up visiting with his father. In the 1980s, he wrote a book called ``The 
Legend of the Muy Grande,'' and produced three videos called ``The 
Legend of the Muy Grande,'' Part I, II and III. Leonel Grande continues 
to be an active member of Freer, Texas, serving on multiple community 
organizations and still runs the Muy Grande Hunting Village, the 
largest gas station in Freer, Texas.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Leonel Garza is a Texas legend whose creation of 
the first deer hunting contest changed the sport of hunting. His 
relentless work ethic, kindness to all, and ability to turn overnight 
fame into something long-lasting is well-worthy of recognition. I stand 
here today thanking Mr. Garza for his contributions to the world, and I 
wish him a happy belated 80th birthday.

                          ____________________