Eligio “Kika” de la Garza, II was born on September 22, 1927, and died on March 13, 2017.
He was the Democratic representative for the 15th congressional district of Texas from January 3, 1965, to January 3, 1997.
He grew up in Mission in Hidalgo County.
Garza, at 21 years old, entered the United States Navy and served for two years.
He chose to continue his education at Edinburg Junior College and the United States Army Artillery School at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.
In 1952, for 2 years, Garza was a lieutenant in the Army served in the 37th Field Artillery Regiment deployed in the Korean War.
Following his return home, he completed his law degree at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio.
He practiced law for several years in the Rio Grande Valley, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives.
His nickname was made famous by Andy Rooney in the early days of his TV show as he referred to “Kiki de la Garza” as one of the names that stuck with him most.
Garza resided in McAllen, Texas with his wife Lucille until he passed away.
Kika de la Garza passed at 89 years old.