[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H252-H259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF HON. FRANK TEJEDA, 
                 REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 
35) and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                               H. Res. 35

       Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow of 
     the death of the Honorable Frank Tejeda, a Representative 
     from the State of Texas.
       Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to 
     the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the 
     deceased.
       Resolved, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn as 
     a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goodlatte). The gentleman from Texas 
[Mr. Gonzalez] is recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my extremely sad duty, and may I say it is an 
honor and a privilege, to offer a few words of praise and of course 
tribute to a friend and a dear colleague, Frank Tejeda, who died too 
soon, far short of the full realization and the promise of his 
potential. But though his life was shortened by a terrible and a very 
tragic disease, he left behind a legacy of great achievement, he made 
his life a model, and I think others will do well to emulate him.
  To all of those who knew and loved Frank, I offer my heartfelt 
condolences today. Words, of course, are never adequate to express the 
feeling of loss that we share. All we can do is say what we can and 
draw strength from Frank's memory and his achievements.
  Frank was only 51 years of age when he died, and this was some 17 
months after having been diagnosed with a brain tumor. But he died as 
he lived, with grit and grace.
  Grit: Frank had it in great abundance. He dropped out of high school 
and became a first class marine.
  Courage: As a combat marine, he never flinched or failed. He was born 
a brave leader. He was decorated for his courage under fire.
  Determination: He worked hard enough and sacrificed enough to finish 
law school at both Harvard and Yale, two of the most distinguished law 
schools in the country, which I hardly think is bad for a high school 
dropout.
  Grace: He would do anything for a friend and never count the cost.
  Energy: He worked hard. He worked hard for his district, his 
constituents, his country. And he never once faltered, before or during 
his illness. He never complained about his situation. He remained 
determined from the beginning to the end that he would do his best, and 
he did.
  One has to go a long way to find another human being who so 
thoroughly combined the virtues that Frank Tejeda embodied: His grit, 
his grace, his energy, his determination, his decency, and his honor. 
Frank Tejeda served with honor and distinction in the Texas legislature 
for 16 years and in 1992 was elected to the Congress with 87 percent of 
the vote cast.
  Frank and I served neighboring and adjacent districts, and though of

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course we did not always agree on issues, I had and still have the 
highest regard for his integrity and his honor. He served with 
distinction, and I doubt that any Member of this House ever knew him to 
be anything less than a decent, a compassionate, and a deeply caring 
human being.
  I do not think anybody worked harder than Frank Tejeda nor worked 
with greater patience and determination. Nobody served his district 
more carefully. Nobody treated people with more respect and decency. He 
was a credit to his community and to this House. His loss is a tragedy 
for his family, for his community, and for this House.
  Yet I hope that his family and all of us will be strengthened by the 
memory of his life of promise and that each of us will honor his 
memory, not just by our words but in the way we live and serve. If we 
can live with that same grit and grace, we will truly honor the man 
that we mourn today.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Texas [Mr. Ortiz].
  (Mr. ORTIZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I was profoundly sorry last Friday to say 
good-bye to my friend, Frank Tejeda.
  I last saw Frank about a month ago. We talked a little bit about 
politics and congressional business, but mostly we talked about our 
families and how much we love our families. Frank loved his children so 
much. I told him stories and jokes, and I saw in his eyes the life and 
determination I have always seen in my friend Frank, the fighter, the 
marine. I will miss him more than I can say.
  He was an all-American patriot, serving his country from the jungles 
of Vietnam to the corridors of power in Austin and Washington. He had a 
similar rise in his education fortunes, dropping out of high school 
when he was young and later graduating from prestigious ivy league 
schools such as Yale and Harvard.
  He was uncomplicated. He meant what he said, and he said what he 
meant. His word was his bond.
  His story is very much the American story, about the ingenuity and 
creativity of one man's rise from obscurity to power. Frank was an 
inspiration to me.
  I, too, had to drop out of high school when I was young to fight my 
way through supporting my family, joining the service, and getting a 
GED. My service was in the Army military police in France before the 
United States became fully engaged in Vietnam.
  Frank's service was for the Marines in Vietnam, winning a Purple 
Heart, a Bronze Star, and a host of other decorations in a hostile 
theater, and he was recently awarded the Silver Star. In fact, I had 
been making arrangements for Vice President Gore to fly to San Antonio 
to present the Silver Star to him when he died.
  Frank exemplified the very best in public service, honesty, and 
integrity. He was a true leader who believed in the value and decency 
of the working class. He always said he was proud to be a marine, and 
he didn't want it any other way.
  That same ideal moved him to work hard all of his life and stick up 
for the working people that he represented so well. He was a hero who 
believed strongly in the power of our democratic process, and our 
democratic process was made better by the virtue of his service. He is 
a marvelous role model for south Texas today.
  Frank had an enormous impact on the military community in San Antonio 
and Washington. He was an important part of the Committee on National 
Security. During the entire base closure process in 1993 and 1995, he 
was a vigilant defender of the San Antonio area bases. He made eloquent 
presentations before the BRAC Commission.
  Frank always approached problems with common sense, commonsense 
solutions, and an engaging sense of humor. He was deeply loved and will 
be missed by those who knew him within the defense establishment. I 
know I will miss him each time I walk into this Chamber.
  Over the past 4 years, Frank and I and other Members with me in that 
corner down there, we laughed at our jokes, exchanged what we call a 
south Texas chisme, and went over matters before our National Security 
Committee or other things that affected south Texas.
  Right now this Chamber feels empty without Frank. But there is one 
thing I know each and every Member of this House, envied Frank, who was 
a Texas State senator, who basically drew his own congressional 
district during the 1990's redistricting process.
  Frank showed enormous grace and courage over the past year when 
dealing with the pressure of cancer and the challenge of chemotherapy. 
As always, the highly decorated and respected marine fought the valiant 
fight. He was a disciplinarian with his personal life, with his 
personal ethics, and with his physical health.
  I greatly admired Frank, as did many Texans. Frank Tejeda was one of 
the best friends I ever had. I urge my colleagues to remember his 
children, Marissa; Sonya; and Frankie III; and his mother, Lillie, 
during this difficult time for them. I also ask that we remember his 
sister, his only sister, Mary Alice Lara; and his brothers, Juan 
Tejeda, Ernest Tejeda, and Richard Tejeda, in our prayers.
  Frank Tejeda was a giant among men and among leaders. Our country, 
our State, and this House lost a meaningful piece of our fabric.
  Tonight is the State of the Union. For 4 years we sat together here 
with our colleagues and watched the President give the State of the 
Union. We will miss you tonight, my brother, but we will cherish your 
memory.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Smith].

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first let me thank my friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Gonzalez], the dean of the San 
Antonio delegation, for yielding this time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to share two stories about Congressman 
Frank Tejeda for the Record, our friend who recently left us. One dates 
back 20 years, the other only a few days.
  In 1976 I was a new attorney fresh out of law school. I had just 
joined a law firm in the Milam Building in downtown San Antonio. I 
began to hear and read about another young attorney who was planning to 
run for State representative against an entrenched incumbent. The young 
challenger's name was Frank Tejeda, and he had an impressive record, 
including having received many honors in the Marine Corps. He also had 
some interesting ideas about reforming government that appealed to me.
  Frank's law office was also in that same Milam Building. One day I 
walked up several flights of stairs to meet him and to give him a 
campaign contribution. It was only a check for $15, but it was the 
first political contribution I had ever made. Frank said, in fact, it 
was only the second campaign contribution he had received after one 
from a relative.
  We had some good laughs about it during the years that followed. 
Those years saw him hold three offices as a Democrat and saw me hold 
several offices as a Republican, including a stint as Bexar County 
Republican Party chairman just 2 years after I made that first 
contribution to Frank Tejeda.
  I have always considered that contribution to have been a very good 
investment. The potential Frank Tejeda showed back then proved out 
during his years of public service, from the Texas legislature to his 
reelection to Congress last November. We still hear and read about his 
dedication to country, his steadfastness, his integrity. He kept his 
promises.
  The second story goes back just a few days to the Thursday evening 
that Frank died. In our family we have a tradition of studying the 
Bible each morning, but that Thursday, for the first time in many, many 
weeks, I felt compelled to read from the Scriptures at night, and it 
was a little before 9:30 p.m. Washington time when I read what Jesus 
said in the book of John: ``He that believeth on me shall never see 
death.''
  About 2 hours later I received a call in Washington informing me of 
Frank's passing in San Antonio shortly before 8:30 p.m. It was 
comforting to know that I had read that uplifting passage at the same 
time Frank had passed away.
  The words were a reminder that there is no death, no end to the love 
we feel for Frank and the love he feels for his family, his friends, 
and our Nation. The happy memories we hold, like the

[[Page H254]]

love expressed, will always be with us. They are, in fact, infinite.
  My friendship with Frank has spanned both decades and partisan lines. 
When we worked together on issues important to Texas, there was never 
any sense that one of us was a Democrat and one of us a Republican. We 
never exchanged a harsh word on any subject.
  That is the way I remember Frank Tejeda, a man who believed in the 
highest ideals of public service, and fulfilled his lifelong promise to 
those same ideals.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Green].
  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the dean of the Texas 
delegation for allowing me to speak today.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues across the aisle in expressing our 
sorrow for the death of our colleague, Mr. Frank Tejeda. The Nation has 
lost a leader, Texas has lost a son, and I lost a friend.
  Frank and I served together since 1977 as State representative, as 
State senator, and now as congressional colleagues. Never has anyone 
served in office with more honor and more distinction.
  Frank Tejeda was a man of his word and we will miss him. He was a man 
of his word throughout his legislative career, from his first term, 2-
year term as a State representative, to his terms as a State senator.
  Frank literally was a Texas hero and an American hero. He dropped out 
of school at 17, volunteered for the Marines and was sent to Vietnam. 
Two weeks before his tour was up in 1966 he was hit by shrapnel. He was 
awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his bravery under fire, and 
yesterday he was awarded a Silver Star for his bravery. He received the 
highest grades ever in the Officer Candidate School in the Marine 
Corps.
  Frank returned to San Antonio and graduated from St. Mary's with an 
undergraduate degree, and then earned his law degrees at Berkeley and 
Yale, and a graduate degree from Harvard. As my colleague and dean of 
the Texas delegation said, not bad for a high school dropout.
  Frank was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1976, and 
to the Texas Senate in 1986. In the legislature he championed bills to 
build housing for veterans, protect crime victims. He worked to assist 
minority and women-owned businesses, promoted measures to ensure voting 
rights for minorities, and attacked the practice of dismissing jurors 
based on their race or their ethnicity.
  In 1993 as a Member of Congress, Mr. Tejeda called for removal of a 
Federal judge accused of uttering racial slurs against Hispanics in 
open court. In 1992, Frank was the only freshman elected to Congress 
from a new district who did not face major party opposition in either 
the primary or the general election. Having had four elections in 1992, 
when I came to Congress, I asked Frank, I said I needed to learn how he 
did it, because I had four elections and he barely had two.
  Frank Tejeda never forgot his military training and the importance of 
education. He was the most proud to be a marine. During his two terms 
in Congress, two-plus terms in Congress, Frank Tejeda worked tirelessly 
for veterans health and education benefits. Frank Tejeda will be missed 
by Americans, by Texans, by San Antonio residents. America has lost a 
fighter for freedom and we lost a friend.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee].
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the dean very much for 
his kindness. Mr. Speaker, my relationship with Mr. Frank Tejeda is a 
new one. However, I hope that that does not diminish the sincerity of 
my words today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleagues from Texas and 
throughout this Nation, to pay respects to a man, a man's man. I do not 
mind saying that in this era of political correctness. Frank Tejeda was 
a man to be looked up to. He stood for the values we need more of 
today: family, honor, education, and public service.
  He was a man of the barrio, of the south side of San Antonio, who 
knew what it was like to shine another man's shoes; who understood, 
however, to keep his pride in the face of adversity, and how to face 
any challenge squarely and without hesitation.
  He faced down enemy fire in Vietnam, where he was decorated after 
rising to the challenge of Marine Corps Officers Training School, by 
leaving his mark with records and academic leadership and physical 
fitness.
  Mr. Tejeda understood the value of education, earning degrees at our 
finest schools: the University of California at Berkeley, Harvard, and 
Yale. His education served him well as a devoted public servant.
  Serving in the Texas House and Senate for a total of 16 years, and 
then coming to Congress in 1993, he dedicated his entire life to making 
the south side of San Antonio a better place to live and work, and, 
yes, this country a better place to be in.
  He understood about the health and safety of his community. His work 
to help build health clinics for veterans and those in need of health 
care was superior. He helped to bring better sewers and cleaner water 
to his district. When the farmers and ranchers faced a drought, he 
broke through the redtape here in Washington and got them immediate 
relief.
  But the job he liked best was being a father to his three children. 
His daughters and son always knew they could count on him. Certainly I 
think we can look to them for great things. Frankie, his son, will 
certainly be a reminder of his great works in his leadership.
  Frank Tejeda, the Congressman, will be missed here. I knew him as a 
determined, forceful, committed, and gentle leader. Everyone admired 
his political intuition as he quietly got things done.
  I think he leaves us with the impression that he was not just another 
politician or another elected official. He will be missed as a leader 
of his community. He will be missed as a father. He will be missed as a 
colleague, and yes, he will be missed as a man; but most importantly, 
he will be missed as an American, a lover and doer of the tenets and 
words of the flag.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to now acknowledge some beautiful words 
that many of us who joined his family were able to hear yesterday in 
the ceremony that celebrated the life of Congressman Frank Tejeda. It 
is from his daughter, Marissa, but I think it captures, if you will, 
the comments of all of his children, and certainly those who loved him 
and respected him:

       You are a celebrity to me. I've watched you grow all these 
     years with me, almost as if you were a big star on the 
     screen.
       I've watched you give to others. This taught me the gift of 
     giving.
       I've watched you make your dreams come true. This taught me 
     to believe in dreams.
       I've watched you play my fan at my softball and soccer 
     games. This taught me to find courage and self-worth.
       I've watched you play my teacher. This taught me the 
     meaning of moral gratification and education.
       I watched you play my dad when you loved me unconditionally 
     and supported me with all of your faith. This taught me the 
     magic in love and the ability to bring love to others.
       And I watched you as you played my friend every day, when 
     you talked to me, cried with me, and laughed with me.
       You were a star to me. I was your biggest fan.
       Love, Marissa.

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to my 
fellow Texan, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember 
and pay tribute to my friend, colleague, and a great American, 
Congressman Frank Tejeda. His untimely death is a great loss for the 
constituents of District 28, all of Texas, and the citizens of the 
United States.
  Congressman Tejeda and I have worked together for many years in many 
capacities. He and I were colleagues in the Texas House and the Texas 
Senate. We were elected to this office in the same class in 1992. He 
was a patriot, a Vietnam veteran who risked his life many times to 
defend his fellow marines. He was honored with many medals. He was a 
true American hero.
  My colleague, Frank Tejeda, has been an example and role model for 
many people in many ways. He proved that you can achieve success with 
determination and hard work. He ended

[[Page H255]]

his life with the same quiet dignity he always showed. My heart and 
prayers are with his family.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Menendez].
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished 
gentleman from Texas for yielding time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the resolution, and to pay tribute to 
a great American, a dear colleague, and a good friend, Mr. Frank 
Tejeda. Frank and I came to the Congress 4 years ago, he from Texas, I 
from New Jersey; he an American of Mexican descent, I an American of 
Cuban descent. Through our mutual friend, Mr. Solomon Ortiz, we became 
very friendly.
  Frank Tejeda was a quiet warrior. That description may seem 
inconsistent, but in fact it was the way that Frank got things done 
here in the House. Frank Tejeda was tempered by war and disciplined by 
its effects to seek peace, he felt, through strength. Frank had a deep 
and abiding faith in his God, his family, and his country. He exhibited 
extraordinary courage on the battlefield, where, as the leader of his 
platoon and wounded, he sought to save the lives of one of his men; in 
life, as he struggled against prejudice and for social justice; and in 
death, as he faced the ravages of cancer.
  Yesterday, as I and other Members of the House attended his funeral, 
we saw the neighborhoods he fought for and the people who lined the 
streets with signs expressing their love and respect for their 
champion. Frank Tejeda was a loving father, a courageous soldier, a 
great public servant.
  To ascribe so many positive qualities to one individual might be said 
to be the usual gilding of the lily. In the case of Frank Tejeda, it 
was simply the truth.

                              {time}  1445

  My life, this House, our country are better off due to his life here 
on Earth with us. God bless you, Frank.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Edwards].
  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, there are times when words seem so 
inadequate, and for me this is one of those moments. I will always 
consider one of the great privileges of my life to have been able to 
serve in the Texas Senate and the U.S. Congress with Frank Tejeda. For 
the last 4 years we worked together on the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs and were seat mates at the Committee on National Security. My 
friend Frank Tejeda, the quiet marine, with a great heart. I wish all 
Americans could have known him. You did not see Frank on the Sunday 
talk shows and not too often here in the well of this House making 
speeches. He was more interested in helping others than in talking 
about it. You see, Frank Tejeda was someone whose life of 
accomplishment, integrity and caring spoke for itself. And what an 
eloquent speech his life became for our Nation and for young people for 
generations to come.
  Frank Tejeda fought for his country in time of war and served his 
country in time of peace. While not one who wasted words, he spoke out 
and fought effectively for those beliefs he held so dear, a strong 
defense, veterans care, education for our children and justice for all. 
In a time when many have grown cynical of all who serve in public 
office, Frank Tejeda's spirit is a living reminder that serving one's 
community and country can be and should be a noble calling.
  Each week when Congress recessed, Frank was on the airplane first to 
get back home. His heart and soul were always with his district in 
south Texas where he worshipped his God, loved his family, and was 
devoted to his constituents. That is why I believe that, more than the 
words spoken here in this House today, Frank would be most proud of 
those signs that lined the streets in his beloved south San Antonio 
yesterday that said, we love you, Frank. To my friend, we love you as 
well, and we will never forget the eloquence of your life's work. Mi 
amigo, yo te amo.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Becerra].
  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the dean of the Texas delegation 
for yielding time to me.
  I also make mention that tomorrow the gentleman from Texas [Mr. 
Ortiz] and I have also requested time through a special order to also 
commemorate the life of our good friend, Frank Tejeda.
  It is truly with profound sadness that we extend our deepest 
condolences to the three children of Frank Tejeda, Marissa, Sonya and 
Frank III and to his mother, Lilly, on the untimely passing of Frank 
Tejeda. I do not think anyone would disagree if we were to say that 
this is a man who perhaps was not the best known Member in the House of 
Representatives, perhaps was not the Member who came and spoke down in 
this well most often, perhaps was not the gentleman who was out in 
committee making the most noise most often and perhaps was not the one 
socializing at night with all of his colleagues most often. But 
certainly I think no one would deny that this is a man who with total 
dignity every day that he was here showed that he earned the respect of 
the constituents of his district so that he could be the Representative 
from Texas.
  I consider Frank Tejeda an American hero. It is not too often you do 
not know about the Superman's of the world and the Superman's of 
America, but a Frank Tejeda does not come very often. That is why at 
the age of 51, it is such a sadness to have seen him leave. It was 
Frank's courage in the face of great obstacles that served him so well 
throughout his time here in Congress.
  Two years ago I remember that, 1995, 2 years ago many believed upon 
learning of his illness, of his cancer of the brain that he would never 
serve another day in Congress. But in typical style, Frank, remember 
Frank is a guy who went to Harvard and went to Yale to graduate school 
and who also at the same time was a dropout from high school, remember 
Frank is the Vietnam veteran who got not just the Bronze Star and the 
Purple Heart but also posthumously was awarded the Silver Star for 
having saved the lives of American soldiers, forsaking his own in the 
process.
  This is a man who has always fought back. He returned to service in 
Congress even after all those folks said that there is no way in the 
world someone with that type of an illness could ever come back. And 
yet he continued to serve and finished off the days of the 104th 
Congress.
  He was elected and even was sworn into the 105th Congress 
representing the 28th District of Texas. Had he had the chance, there 
is no doubt that with every fiber of his body and with every drop of 
blood he would have been here today. But I think as we heard at his 
funeral yesterday, the bishop, the archbishop say, it was destined that 
God wanted Frank with him, that Frank had served a greater purpose here 
and the Lord had seen fit to take him with him. I will argue with the 
Lord for having done that for probably the rest of my life, but Frank 
knew his duty and he always served it.
  I think it has always been said so well about Frank, he gave when it 
was time, and he never, and he never, I am not sure if I have ever 
known anyone, but he never complained. This is a guy who not just in 
his physique but in the way he conducted himself told you that he could 
take punishment, but he would be there the next day. And that is 
perhaps the biggest tribute any one of us could pay to a man like Frank 
Tejeda. He never boasted about what he had done. He never said to any 
one of us here that, while I may not be the most famous Congressman, I 
saved the lives of some of the Americans who are watching today as I 
act as a Representative in Texas. He never once said to anyone, I 
graduated from some of the schools that most people in this Nation will 
never even get to step foot on. At the same time, he was someone who 
never had a chance to quite finish high school. He never bragged, but 
he was always there. I think that is the mark of someone who really is 
an American hero, and that is why I say, Frank Tejeda, you are an 
American hero.
  Frank was a quiet, dignified and disciplined man. But, oh, how 
proudly and eloquently his life spoke to the value of being an 
American. Look back at your life, Frank, please look back at your life. 
We are many who will miss you. Today as we adjourn this, another august 
day of democracy in this Nation,

[[Page H256]]

we say goodbye to a very distinguished American. Thank you, Frank, for 
your service to this country. Frank, thank you very much for your 
service in life. And I think all of us understand that today we mourn 
the passing of a great American hero.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Fowler].
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my most profound sorrow 
at the passing of our colleague, Frank Tejeda, of San Antonio last 
week. I served with Frank on the House Committee on National Security 
where his dedication to our national security and his commitment to his 
constituency in San Antonio was always in evidence.
  Frank brought to our committee a wealth of experience about military 
service and the dangers facing our Nation. Much of this experience he 
gained the hard way, particularly as a Marine Corps veteran of the 
Vietnam conflict where he served with distinction earning a Bronze Star 
and a Purple Heart. Following Frank's return from Vietnam, he continued 
to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve, even during his service here in 
the House.
  Frank's voice of experience and his quiet determination will be 
sorely missed in our committee meetings. Our hearts go out to his 
family and friends who grieve at his passing. I hope they take 
consolation knowing how much he contributed to our Nation and how 
deeply his colleagues will miss him.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Diaz-Balart].
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to rise today in 
memory of Frank Tejeda, a very special man who became a special friend 
during the last 4 years. We were both elected in 1992. I was aware at 
the time of our election of his heroic record in combat in our Armed 
Forces. I was also aware at the time of our election of his 
extraordinarily impressive academic achievements, the fact that he had 
been at Yale and Harvard and succeeded there and in many other academic 
endeavors.
  I did not know, however, at the time of our election, what I 
subsequently was able to learn by getting to know Frank Tejeda 
personally. He was a man of great faith, a man who revered family and 
who revered friendship.
  I was most impressed every time, just about every time I had the 
opportunity to speak to Frank, especially in the last years, when he 
was battling his illness, how he would say: I am fine, Lincoln, I am 
fine. As a matter of fact, Diosito has protected me even from pain.
  He would refer to God in that marvelous way which I would translate 
only as: My dearest God, my dearest God. He had great love for God as 
well as for family and for country and for freedom.
  I wish to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to make sure that his 
family knows not only how much Frank will be missed here in the Halls 
of Congress but that his friends here will not only miss him but look 
forward to being in touch with his family and that his family know that 
we long to be their friends, as we were, of Frank Tejeda.
  We will miss him, that very special man of patriotism, of grace and 
character and honor and integrity, of courage and optimism and strength 
and decency, that exemplary man who we had the honor and the privilege 
of getting to know personally during the last 4 years, Frank Tejeda. 
Hasta luego, caro amigo.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Hinojosa].
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to be able to speak 
from the House, from the floor of the House of Representatives, my 
maiden speech, as a freshman Congressman, as one who knew Frank Tejeda. 
I feel honored that I will be allowed to come before you and to express 
my thoughts and my sentiments about this great individual whom we knew 
as Frank.
  The simplicity with which he spoke, the simplicity with which he 
treated the rest of the colleagues from Texas and from the rest of the 
country was something that was outstanding. It was spoken yesterday at 
the church as we, over 60 of us, Congressmen and Congresswomen, were 
seated and listened to the priests, to the bishops who were celebrating 
the mass. They said that he was the individual, he was the Congressman 
who had grown up right there in that neighborhood and had been an altar 
boy, had been attending school in that Catholic church and had played 
in the background and in the playgrounds adjacent to the church, and 
they spoke of how he had surfaced and become a leader amongst his 
little friends.

                              {time}  1500

  But not only did he surface to become a leader amongst those little 
friends, he rose here in the Halls of Congress to become one of the 
national leaders whom we all respected, and so we are here to pay 
tribute to Frank Tejeda.
  We are here to join the many who feel exactly as I do, and that is 
that he was an honorable man; that he was honest; that he was hard 
working; that he was one whom you could depend on. If he gave you his 
word, you could count on it.
  When I heard his children express their thoughts at the service 
yesterday, when I heard Marissa, when I heard Sonya, when I heard 
Frankie, I knew that he had done a wonderful job as a father and as a 
friend to those children. And so my last words are that we not forget 
those three children that he leaves behind, because they gave up so 
much so that their father could go and serve his constituents, that he 
could go and serve his country. And for that, I hope that we will 
always remember them in our prayers and that we see that they lack 
nothing the rest of their lives.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
fellow Texan, Mr. Bonilla.
  (Mr. BONILLA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Texas, Mr. 
Gonzalez, for yielding me this time. We are all mourning a great loss 
we have all suffered in south Texas with the passing of our friend, 
Frank Tejeda.
  Frank was my personal friend. He and I were both elected at the same 
time and came to Congress the same year. We would often fly back and 
forth on the airplane, back to visit our constituents on weekends, and 
talk about how we all were so fortunate to wind up here representing 
the people of south Texas and west Texas.
  During those times we would reflect on the places where he and I came 
from. He went to Harlandale High School, which is a couple miles up the 
road from South San Antonio High School, where I attended on the south 
side of San Antonio. And as we spent those many hours talking about the 
things we wanted to accomplish and the things that we wanted to do, it 
is so difficult to believe that in such a short period of time he is no 
longer with us.
  He was the kind of person that in the last few days in south Texas we 
have all been reflecting on his accomplishments and what he did as a 
great community activist and a great advocate for the poor and for 
those who had no place else to turn often.
  Frank Tejeda was always there when they needed him. He sponsored 
Little League baseball teams. He would pay for funerals for people who 
could not afford them in the neighborhoods in San Antonio. Never asking 
for any publicity, never asking for any recognition but simply writing 
a check, often, many times, most of the times out of his personal 
account to help families who otherwise would have no place else to 
turn.
  As we think back on the legacy he has left us, what greater legacy 
can a man leave behind than having led by example with great honesty, 
with great character, with great integrity, with great dignity; and not 
only preaching those values everywhere he went but by leading by 
example at every opportunity.
  South Texas and San Antonio loved Frank Tejeda. They loved Frank 
Tejeda, and his memory will live on forever. I just hope that one day 
as I work in these Halls of Congress that I can accomplish half of 
whatever he accomplished as a legislator and in the many years he 
served in public office.
  Frank, we know you are up there looking down on us today hoping that 
we can carry on the work that you started here; and as your children 
reflect on you, as your mother and your family members reflect on you 
and as

[[Page H257]]

your friends reflect on you and what you have meant to them, we all 
appreciate the great legacy you have left us about the values and 
honesty and integrity and the things that were important to you. We 
will certainly try to aspire to meet the standards that you have set.
  There is no greater legacy that an American will leave behind. We 
will miss you, Frank. We will all remember your work and try to work 
and aspire to meet those standards you set for us.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Talent].
  Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me this time 
so that I can add my words to those of my colleagues in memory of my 
friend and classmate, Frank Tejeda, who recently fought his last 
battle. He fought so many in his life. He fought them all with honor 
and with grace, and that is the way he fought his last one as well.
  I remember working with Frank on the Armed Services Committee for the 
4 years that he and I served in this institution, and working so well 
with him and in a spirit of bipartisanship. And for Frank Tejeda that 
was not something that he did when it was politic but not when it was 
not politic. It was something he did all the time. He did not even 
think about it. It was just a function of his character. Frank loved 
people and he looked at individuals as individuals and he worked with 
them and for them his whole life.
  Frank was a man who went through a lot of adversity; had a lot of 
difficult times. Mr. Speaker, that makes some people bitter, but it 
empowers other people. It allows them to understand, truly, the 
sufferings that other people are going through and to be a method of 
comforting them, and that is what Frank did.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a verse from ``America the Beautiful'' that I 
really like. I think of it when I think of my colleagues and my friends 
who are veterans and have served their country so honorably, and I 
think it sums up at least a part of Frank's life and his public service 
so well. I would like to recite it in closing my remarks.

       Oh, beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who 
     more than self their country loved and mercy more than life.

  That was our friend Frank Tejeda. We will miss him. I would like to 
add my voice to my colleagues in extending my condolences to his family 
and friends.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas, Mr. Sam Johnson.
  (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for 
yielding. I appreciated Frank. I tell my colleagues, Frank Tejeda and I 
had a chance to serve in the Texas House together. He was in the House 
when I was first elected down there, and later elected to the Senate, 
and I was there with him for the whole 7 years I was in the House. I 
got to know him, because down there we are not partisan like we are up 
here. We were bipartisan. We ate and drank together and we made laws 
together and we got to know each other. And I got to know Frank. I even 
served on committees with him.
  When he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, he did not 
have any opposition. Since that time he has been having to fly through 
Dallas to get up here, which is where I am from, and I have flown back 
and forth with him many times. And I want to tell my colleagues that he 
read the Bible on the airplane, memorized verses, and said that he was 
going to do what was right for America and what was right in the eyes 
of the Lord.
  Frank Tejeda was a marine, and because of that he gave great faith in 
the strength of our armed services, which I believe in as well, and he 
and I were on common ground there. The strength of this Nation lies in 
our strength, in our military strength to form our foreign policy 
around the world. Frank did that with a vehemence no one else could do. 
He was a great marine.
  To Frank, I say, and I think the marines would say, semper fi. Adios 
amigo.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm].
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the dean of the Texas delegation, 
Mr. Gonzalez, for yielding me this time.
  We all now know much more about Frank Tejeda, his records, his 
legacy, his biography, but what will last in those hidden hollows of 
the hearts that knew him as a son, as a brother, as a father, as a 
comrade, as a colleague, and as a friend will be Frank's unwavering 
courageous dedication to his God, to his family, and to his country.
  The mark of any mortal is not how much he exhibits to the world but 
the quality of what he leaves behind. Frank's real legacy is the high 
esteem in whom all who knew him held him. His honesty, his impeccable 
integrity, his quiet unassuming professional manner, his almost single-
minded devotion to making life better.
  Whether you were his marine buddy in the swamps of Vietnam, his 
neighbor in the barrio of San Antonio's south side, the many kids, 
young ballplayers, who got that uniform that they treasured so much 
because of the generosity of Frank, whether you were a confidante or a 
combatant in the corridor of Congress, you could always be sure that 
Frank would give you every consideration, every remedy, every ounce of 
integrity, honesty, fair play and unwavering courage that inhabited his 
being.
  Let it be said in the words of two quotations that I think best fit 
now the memory of Frank Tejeda. Sir Richard Francis Burton said, ``He 
noblest lives and noblest dies who makes and keeps his self-made 
laws.'' And Daniel Webster once observed, ``Although no sculptured 
marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear records of 
their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the lands they 
honored.''
  Frank Tejeda loved this land and he honored it in so many ways while 
he was privileged to live on this Earth and we will forever remember 
him.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas, Congressman Sessions.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the dean of the Texas delegation, 
Mr. Gonzalez, very much.
  I rise today also to say farewell to Frank Tejeda, a fellow Texan, a 
man who deeply believed not only in the faith and hope of Texans, but 
very much in our country and all that we stand for.
  A lot has been said here today about the honesty, forthrightness, and 
the hard work that Frank Tejeda exemplified as a Texan, as a father, as 
a parent, and as a man who did the best for his country. But I would 
also like to rise today and say that as I attended the funeral 
yesterday that I saw a hope within the people of San Antonio, the 
people who lined the streets, who joined us in the cathedral, in the 
church there as we said goodbye to Frank.
  The people who were out on the street and the people who came to say 
goodbye recognized that Frank Tejeda had a hope from within him that 
represented a mission, a mission that we should all strive for. If 
there is one legacy that Frank Tejeda would leave, it was one that the 
people of the 28th Congressional District of Texas had, and that is one 
of hope, one of admiration to our country and for each one of us that 
we work together and the hope that we can come together as a country.
  So while we say goodbye to Frank Tejeda, let us also recognize that 
what burned so deep in Frank Tejeda's heart also is shared by those 
people in San Antonio and it is that, Mr. Speaker, that I saw that 
burned so brightly and so deep that caught me and stunned me of the 
hope that we can all have, not just in San Antonio and not just in 
Texas but across this great land.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis].
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the dean of the 
Texas delegation for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, many people have noticed and taken note of the 
incredible rise and the success story that was the life of Congressman 
Frank Tejeda. I will not recount that incredible story of triumph over 
adversity. My colleagues from Texas have done that most eloquently. I 
just want to take a

[[Page H258]]

moment to reflect and to share a story of a trip I took last year to 
San Antonio. It is a story which I believe lends insight into the kind 
of man that Frank Tejeda was.
  I went to Texas on just a few days' notice. In spite of that, Frank 
put together a luncheon at which more than 100 leaders of the San 
Antonio African-American community turned out. An impressive 
demonstration of organizational skill, I thought to myself.
  In the hour or two that I spent with those people from San Antonio, I 
realized that these people had not turned out to hear from me but to 
hear and see their Congressman, their friend, their brother, Frank 
Tejeda.
  Frank was not just respected in his community. He was not just liked. 
What I discovered on my trip to San Antonio was that Frank was loved by 
the people in his district. Frank was what every Member of Congress 
wants to be: He was a true representative of the people. Frank 
understood his community because he was a part of that community. They 
were always on his mind and in his soul.
  Mr. Speaker, we will all miss Frank Tejeda. In a time when people 
toot their own horns, especially here in Washington, he was quiet. He 
was a quiet man, a sincere man, a reflective and thoughtful man.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. Speaker, I will miss Frank, the House will miss Frank, and the 
Nation will miss Frank. There are not enough people like Frank Tejeda. 
God bless him and his family.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Torres].
  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to join with the Texas 
delegation and my other colleagues in honoring Frank Tejeda for his 
years of service and dedication to our Nation.
  As we have heard, Frank Tejeda lived a life of hard work. He worked 
hard for his constituents of Texas. He worked hard as a member of the 
Marines. He worked hard in school. His accomplishments indeed include a 
law degree from UC-Berkeley and two more postgraduate degrees from Yale 
and Harvard.
  Indeed this is commendable for a young man who early in life left 
school, disenchanted with some of the problems that had beset him as a 
young man. Some of his counselors, as I have read the record, called 
him just a trouble-making Mexican. Well, Frank proved them wrong.
  I had the privilege to serve with Frank and understand him. He was 
not driven to prove to others that he could do something. He was driven 
by his own desire to do something. Whether it was bringing technology 
into the rural areas of his district or providing urban San Antonio 
with new community development opportunities, Frank made it happen. I 
remember how he helped a small coalition of businesses in San Antonio. 
Its executive director, Sam Gorena, sought assistance in reviving the 
local economy and attracting new businesses. Frank helped and we helped 
along with him in building that new economic blood for that community.
  We, the colleagues of Frank Tejeda in the Congressional Hispanic 
Caucus, have lost one of our strongest representatives to our Nation's 
military and a leader to be sure, a leader in thoughtful debate, a 
leader here in the House. We, the colleagues of Frank Tejeda in 
Congress, were lucky to have served with him. He will live forever in 
our memories for his strength and his integrity. We as Americans owe 
Frank a debt of eternal gratitude.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, it is sad to admit it, but 
we live in a time of few heroes. Last week, we lost a modern-day hero 
who only months ago walked among us on this floor. Congressman Frank 
Tejeda has left us, but his spirit remains.
  What an honor and privilege it was to serve with this great Latino. 
Mr. Speaker, a hero sacrifices selflessly and gives his whole being to 
causes bigger than himself. Frank Tejeda demonstrated this not only as 
a United States marine in the jungles of Vietnam but also in public 
life back home.
  As a State legislator and as a Congressman, he fought the hard 
fights. He relentlessly protected the poor Mexican-American people of 
his Texas district. Here in Washington, he spoke out against assaults 
on immigrants, women, and children.
  He was also a true champion of all veterans and never forgot his 
fellow men and women in uniform. Frank Tejeda was truly a powerful ally 
for all of us in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
  Out of the tough barrios of San Antonio, TX, Frank Tejeda was 
conditioned to survive--to beat the odds--to overcome any barriers. 
When I think about Frank Tejeda, what sticks out the most is what a 
fighter he was in all that he did.
  He battled off his tragic illness for over a year. Even in his final 
days, he insisted on being sworn in on his sickbed to fulfill the 
wishes of the 73-percent strong who elected him to his third term.
  The Congress and the Nation mourn Frank Tejeda because he left us way 
too soon. However, we also celebrate his inspiring memory and peaceful 
strength. You were an example and a hero to this country. Thank you, 
Frank, and may your goodness and justice guide us all.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, the House has lost a courageous Member of 
this body, and I have lost a good friend.
  Frank Tejeda only served in the House for 4 years, but he 
nevertheless had a profound impact on those of us who knew him and 
worked with him. He had a deep commitment to helping people who 
traditionally have been left out of the mainstream of society. He 
wanted to reach out and ensure that the disadvantaged had an 
opportunity to fully participate in American life, that no institution, 
whether it be government, education, or business, would be closed to 
them.
  Frank was also committed to ensuring that America had a strong 
national defense. As a former marine, Frank understood the value of 
freedom, and knew well the terrible cost of maintaining our cherished 
liberties. He worked tirelessly within the National Security Committee 
to see that the men and women serving in our Armed Forces had the 
resources necessary in today's world to protect our freedoms.
  Frank had fought hard for his constituents, for the people of Texas, 
and for all Americans. More recently, he battled valiantly against a 
disease that ultimately took his life. He never gave up.
  He will be missed.
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark the passing of our colleague, 
the gentleman from Texas, Frank Tejeda.
  Congressman Tejeda's spirit, his patriotism, his sense of duty, and 
his service to the Nation and his fellow veterans set an example for 
all Americans, particularly the youth of San Antonio. The House of 
Representatives, certainly, is poorer for his loss.
  I wish to extend my sympathies to his family and friends.
  Que Dios lo tenga en su Gloria.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, on June 7, 1945, Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., 
while eulogizing our American World War II dead, reminded our grieving 
Nation: ``It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we 
should thank God that such men lived.'' General Patton's words should 
support and sustain us today as we remember our colleague, Frank 
Tejeda. Rather than mourning Frank's too-early death, let us thank God 
for his life--let us thank God we had the opportunity, and the 
privilege, to know and work with this extraordinary man.
  Frank was a favorite in this House. A genuinely friendly, decent, 
kind, and quiet man, his participation in a hearing or meeting 
guaranteed civility and tolerance. When he spoke, others leaned in so 
they could hear his words. I firmly believe that Frank's notable 
courtesy and obvious concern and regard for the views of others were 
the results of a life challenge--as a young man growing up in southside 
San Antonio--as a highly decorated marine who fought and was wounded in 
the jungles of Vietnam--as a student at three of our country's most 
highly respected centers of learning and intellectual challenge--the 
University of California at Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale.
  As a fellow member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I know that 
Frank's thoughtful, informed comments and constructive participation 
were highly regarded. He was among the first to sound the alarm 
regarding Persian Gulf war syndrome. He championed improvements in the 
Montgomery GI Bill. He fought to ensure that the many veterans in San 
Antonio were well cared for and that the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in 
San Antonio provided only the finest health care. I was also privileged 
to serve with Frank on the Committee on National Security where his 
faithful and effective participation demonstrated his commitment to the 
members of our Armed Forces and a strong national defense.
  All of us considered Frank a good friend and colleague. Our 
admiration, however, grew into a real sense of awe as we watched him 
literally wage the battle of his lifetime--a fight he carried on with 
enormous courage and dignity. None of us will ever forget the Honorable 
Frank Tejeda--or the special grace with which he lived his life.

[[Page H259]]

  Our deepest sympathy goes to Frank's beloved family, his loyal and 
devoted staff, and the residents of the 28th Congressional District of 
Texas, whom Frank represented so ably and with great diligence. Please 
know that we in this House are anxious to help in any way possible 
during the coming difficult months. Let us all thank God for the life 
of Frank Tejeda.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I 
yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on 
the resolution.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________