[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 14 (Thursday, February 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CONGRESSMAN FRANK TEJEDA

                                 ______
                                 


                               speech of

                             HON. VIC FAZIO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 1997

  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, today the House mourns the loss 
of one of its most respected Members, Congressman Frank Tejeda. Frank 
Tejeda was a true hero--the son of immigrant parents who raised himself 
out of the southside of San Antonio to become a decorated veteran, a 
distinguished scholar, and an honored statesman.
  During the Vietnam war, Frank Tejeda volunteered to join the U.S. 
Marine Corps, where he earned the Silver Star for valor, and received 
the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in action. As a Marine Corp 
officer candidate, he demonstrated his extraordinary leadership and 
academic excellence. In fact, he still holds the highest academic 
average in Marine Corps history.
  Frank went on to graduate St. Mary's University with a bachelor of 
arts in government, a juris doctorate from the University of California 
at Berkeley, a master of laws degree from Yale University, and a 
masters degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of 
Government at Harvard University.
  In 1977, Frank was first elected to the Texas House of 
Representatives for 10 years. He then served 6 more years in the Texas 
Senate before being elected to represent Texas' 28th District in 1993.
  Congressman Tejeda never forgot where he came from or who he 
represented. As a member of the National Security Committee and the 
Committee on Veteran's Affairs, Frank fought vigorously for health care 
access for veterans and for a strong military. Whether it was getting 
the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up soil pollution at the 
San Antonio Alamodome or working with Federal officials when Wilson 
County residents were about to lose their homes in a Federal property 
sale, Frank was always willing to lend a helping hand.
  Frank Tejeda leaves behind three children, Marissa, Sonya, and Frank 
III. He was a good friend, a valued colleague, and a great American. 
Frank Tejeda will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________