Retired U.S. Congressman E. “Kika” de la Garza may be a step or two slower on his feet but his wit remains sharp.

He showed as much at a recent Thanksgiving dinner honoring him and Dr. John Fucik retired horticulturist. Asked about his age, he responded. “Eighty-too-many,” he quipped with a smile, drawing laughter from the small group of admirers surrounding him.

The long-time Congressman rose from a shoeshine boy on the streets of Mission to become the chairman of the powerful House Agriculture Committee from 1981 to 1994. He served in Congress for 32 years before retiring in 1997.

The luncheon was held Nov. 19 at U.S. Citrus in Hargill, north of Edinburg. U.S. Citrus is an innovative citrus production facility that uses state-of-the-art technology and planting methods to produce precocious citrus trees designed to outpace the ravages of citrus greening disease, according to its founder and chairman, Dr. Mani Skaria.

Read more about Congressman de la Garza and Fucik here.