[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO FRANK TEJEDA, BRYANT GUMBEL, AND J.C. WATTS

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak about three 
individuals, one Hispanic-American and two African-Americans: First, 
our departed colleague, Frank Tejeda who passed away courageously and 
with great dignity last week in his hometown of San Antonio, TX.
  Congressman Tejeda was a man of great dignity and distinction, but 
what made Frank special was his quiet and unpretentious manner despite 
his distinguished accomplishments. Not only will he be remembered for 
his admirable courage as a Vietnam veteran and a scholarly education at 
Harvard and Yale, but Frank's true dedication and allegiance to the 
people of the 28th Congressional District of Texas will remain in the 
hearts and minds of his constituency.
  In fact, whenever there was an issue affecting his district or 
whenever we needed a vote from Frank Tejeda, he would always say two 
words: Wilson County. Whenever he saw me on the House floor and we were 
trying to get a vote out of Frank, this is what he wanted in return: 
his district, his people, the kind of allegiance and representation a 
good Member of Congress always shows. His relentless efforts to save 
Kelly Air Force Base will remain on the minds of every Member.
  I will miss Frank Tejeda, as many of us will, especially when he 
stood or sat next to the gentleman from Texas, Solomon Ortiz, as he 
always did on the House floor. These two were inseparable. Frank's 
spirit will forever remain within the walls of this Chamber and within 
the hearts of all who knew him.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to rise in tribute to Bryant Gumbel. I wish 
to extend my enthusiastic congratulations to Bryant Gumbel, who has 
departed the ``Today Show'' after serving as its anchor for longer than 
anyone in the show's long, distinguished history.
  The Emmy Award winner has excelled at bringing news and insight to 
millions of viewers here and around the world. His reporting has come 
not just from the studios in Rockefeller Center, but also from China, 
Australia, Moscow, Cairo, Tunisia, Buenos Aires, Havana, Saudi Arabia 
during the Persian Gulf war, a number of European cities, and the 
Olympic games.
  I think one of Bryant Gumbel's most enduring contributions to his 
industry and, more importantly, to his country is a significant 
contribution to shattering the insidious barriers that once confronted 
African-Americans and other minorities in tuition broadcasting. He 
helped bring the change by being the best, both in sports and in news 
coverage. For that historic and proud achievement, we are all in his 
debt.
  I am confident that his future plans, whatever they may be, will 
include a continuing contribution to his community and his country. 
Whether these plans include award-winning broadcasts like those he 
anchored from Africa, raising funds for the United Negro Fund, or 
quietly lifting the spirits of young people aspiring to be better, I 
know that Bryant Gumbel will be making this country a better place.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to the gentleman from 
Oklahoma [Mr. Watts], our colleague, who will deliver the answer to the 
President's State of the Union Address.
  There will be two eloquent speakers tonight, the President of course 
and J.C. Watts. They will differ in views, but one of the sad parts of 
my job is that I will miss individuals not just on my side, but on the 
Republican side, like J.C. Watts, that show class, commitment, dignity, 
outstanding athletic ability, and many other admirable qualities.
  So, today, I want to pay tribute to Frank Tejeda, Congressman Tejeda, 
who departed us last week; to Bryant Gumbel, an African-American who 
pioneered broadcasting and journalism, and to say that I will be one of 
the millions watching tonight the eloquence of two men and the grace of 
two men, President Clinton and our friend J.C. Watts.

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