[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H299-H300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE FRANK TEJEDA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Guam [Mr. Underwood] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join many of my 
colleagues who want to honor and celebrate the life of our friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from Texas, Frank Tejeda.
  As has been recounted over the past 2 days, Frank's accomplishments 
were many. While enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, he distinguished 
himself as a leader and was selected to become a Marine Corps officer. 
Throughout his military career Frank was decorated and recognized by 
the Marine Corps, and he was a hero to many as he was given the Bronze 
Star, awarded the Bronze Star and Silver Star posthumously.
  As a graduate of St. Mary's University, the University of California 
at Berkeley School of Law, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and 
Yale Law School, Frank was also distinguished as a student at America's 
finest schools.
  Frank accomplished so much throughout his life; but what made him

[[Page H300]]

a great man was not just his accomplishments, but his desire to take 
his own successes and use them as a tool to serve others. Frank Tejeda 
dedicated his entire life to serving others in his family, in his 
community, and in his country. This desire carried him to the Texas 
House of Representatives and Texas Senate, and finally right here to 
the U.S. House of Representatives, while remaining a devoted husband 
and father.
  Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to attend Frank's funeral Mass at 
St. Louis' Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX, where he also served as 
an altar boy. Many times Members of this body frequently talk about the 
nature of being a good representative and being connected to their 
district. I would have to say that Frank was probably the 
quintessential district public servant. He grew up in the area that he 
was representing, he was connected to it, he never left it. He exuded 
the spirit and vitality of south San Antonio.
  Mr. Speaker, I was touched during the service to find out that the 
very church we were in was also the church in which Frank was an altar 
boy. Throughout his life Frank Tejeda led by example and led by serving 
others. Today we honor Frank with our words. I am happy to participate 
in the numerous accolades to Frank, and would like to extend my own 
personal condolences to his mother, Lily, and his three children.

                          ____________________