congressional_record: CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12435
Data license: Public Domain (U.S. Government data) · Data source: Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API
This data as json
| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12435 | 1996-10-21 | 104 | 2 | TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE KIKA DE LA GARZA | SENATE | SENATE | TRIBUTETO | S12435 | S12435 | [{"name": "Howell Heflin", "role": "speaking"}] | 142 Cong. Rec. S12435 | Congressional Record, Volume 142 Issue 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996) [Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)] [Senate] [Page S12435] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE KIKA DE LA GARZA Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the Honorable Kika de la Garza. There is nobody in the U.S. Congress more deserving of a tribute than the distinguished and longtime chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and defender of rural America and family farms. Kika de la Garza began his elected public service with six terms in the Texas House of Representatives and was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964. Kika was immediately appointed to the Agriculture Committee and has served as the committee chairman since 1981. As a matter of fact, Kika was the first Hispanic American to head-up a standing committee of the House of Representatives. Kika de la Garza is very proud of his Hispanic heritage, and with good reason. Kika can trace his ancestry back to one of the ruling families of Spain and to one of the earliest settlers of Texas. Don Martin de Leon and his wife, Dona de la Garza, petitioned the Spanish Governor in San Antonio for the right to establish a permanent settlement in Texas long before Moses Austin had received permission. Kika is also proud of his Alabama ancestry, as he often reminds me that he can trace some of his forebears to Etowah County, AL. During his tenure as committee chairman, Kika de la Garza has successfully guided the passage of three omnibus farm bills. He is also responsible for a major overhaul of the agricultural lending system, Federal crop insurance reform, reorganization of the USDA, and reforms in pesticide laws. Chairman de la Garza has also brought special attention to rural development and the needs of rural families. He has fought tirelessly for rural development programs such as rural waste and water systems. Through this strong commitment and leadership on behalf of rural America, his efforts were recognized with the establishment of an empowerment zone in south Texas, one of only three in rural America. I recall working closely with Kika de la Garza over the years. We have worked many long hours together to restructure the Farm Credit System and provide disaster assistance when our Nation's producers have suffered from drought and other natural disasters. However, what comes to mind when I think of Kika De la Garza is his invaluable leadership in defense of the peanut program. It may come as a surprise to some, but the peanut program is vitally important to Alabama and I have personally fought hard to preserve this program. Had it not been for Chairman de la Garza, though, we would not have been able to maintain this program that is also an integral part of Texas agriculutre. Many were the occasions that I came to Kika and I told him that I needed his help and without fail, we were able to hold off efforts to eliminate the peanut program. For this, I am deeply grateful to Kika. As Kika de la Garza leaves Congress and returns to Texas, we are truly witnessing the end of an era. Kika de la Garza has outlasted Bob Poage, Herman Talmadge and Jamie Whitten to become the dean of American Agriculture. Rural America has had no stronger advocate than Kika de la Garza, he has indeed been the champion of the small farmer. When Kika and his wife, Lucille, return to Texas, they will return home to Mission. Mission, TX, is known for producing famous Texans, among them include Tom Landry and Lloyd Bentsen. However, none have contributed more to improving the lives and living conditions of all Americans. Congress will indeed be a different place next year and it will sorely miss the wisdom and leadership of Kika de la Garza. From the beginning, man has been at work in agriculture. In Genesis Chapter 3, Verse 23, Moses writes, ``Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the Ground from whence he was taken''. Although there are tremendous challenges that lie ahead, the Sun shall rise tomorrow, and we can bear fruit for our neighbors and friends and those who are without nourishment. As we strive to feed a growing population, protect our environment, and keep farmers and ranchers strong, I am confident that with God's guidance, those who rely upon him will succeed. We have all been blessed to have had the wisdom and leadership of Kika de la Garza. As Americans we are all better for his service to this great country. As Kika and his wife, Lucille return home, as Mike and I are returning home, we wish them both the very best for many years to come. It has been my honor to have served with Kika de la Garza. ____________________ |