Benjamin Gilman: “I rise to support the designation of the Kika de la Garza U.S. Border Station. Representative de la Garza has duly…”

“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 work 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.”