Frank Mariano Tejeda (October 2, 1945 – January 30, 1997) was a decorated United States Marine and an American Democratic politician from Texas. He served in the Texas House of Representatives (1976–1987), the Texas Senate (1987–1993), and in the United States House of Representatives (1993–1997).
Frank Mariano Tejeda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 28th district | |
| In office January 3, 1993 – January 30, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | District created following 1990 census |
| Succeeded by | Ciro Rodriguez |
| Member of the Texas State Senate from District 19 | |
| In office January 13, 1987 – January 3, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Glenn Kothmann |
| Succeeded by | Gregory Luna |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives | |
| In office January 11, 1977 – January 13, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Tony Dramberger |
| Succeeded by | Ciro Rodriguez |
| Constituency | 118th district (1983-87) District 57-B (1977-83) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 2, 1945 San Antonio, Texas |
| Died | January 30, 1997 (aged 51) |
| Resting place | Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery San Antonio, Texas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Cecilia Tejeda |
| Children | 3 (2 daughters, 1 son) |
| Alma mater | St. Mary's University |
| Profession | Lawyer; politician |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1963-1967 (active) 1967-1997 (reserve) |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Biography
editFrank M. Tejeda was born in San Antonio, Texas. He attended St. Leo's Catholic School and graduated from Harlandale High School.
He served in the United States Marine Corps and was wounded in action during the Vietnam War (1963–1967). He was decorated for valor with the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.[1] Tejeda reached the rank of major in the Marine Corps Reserve.[2]
After his Marine Corps service, he earned his bachelor's degree in 1970 from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, and his J.D. in 1974 from University of California, Berkeley Law School.
Tejeda began his political career in the Texas Legislature. He served in the Texas House from 1976 to 1987, and then in the Texas Senate from 1987 to 1993. While serving in the legislature, he earned two master's degrees — in 1980, he received an M.A. from Harvard University, and in 1989, an LL.M. from Yale Law School.
Tejeda was elected with 87% of the votes to the U.S. Congress in 1992, representing the 28th Congressional District of Texas. Notably, serving on the Armed Services Committee and the Veterans' Affairs Committee, his work in the Congress focused on veterans' issues. He was known as a conservative Democrat.
On January 30, 1997, shortly after the beginning of his third term, Congressman Tejeda died from pneumonia after a year-long battle with brain cancer.[3] He was buried with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
Namesakes
edit- On September 1, 1997, U.S. Highway 281 from Interstate 410 to the Atascosa/Bexar county line was named "Congressman Frank M. Tejeda Memorial Highway" by the Texas Legislature[4]
- A charter high school with his name, Frank Tejeda Academy, in the Harlandale Independent School District in San Antonio, the same district in which he lived and from which he graduated.
- The Frank M. Tejeda Post Office Building in San Antonio, dedicated in 1997.[5]
- The VA outpatient clinic in San Antonio was posthumously named in his honor.
- Frank Tejeda Estates, a housing development at Lackland Air Force Base.
- Frank Tejeda Middle School in the North East Independent School District in San Antonio was posthumously named in his honor.
- Division Park in the City of San Antonio was renamed Frank Tejeda Park in 1996.[6]
- The Texas State Veterans Home in Floresville, Texas is named in memory of Rep. Tejeda.
- After his death, the Marine Corps Reserve Association created the Major Frank M. Tejeda Leadership Award to recognize leaders committed to the Marine Corps.[2]
See also
edit
Notes
edit- ^ "Frank M. Tejeda". Frank M. Tejeda VA Outpatient Clinic, United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Archived from the original on 2007-03-09. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
- ^ a b "Jones Honored by the Marine Corps Reserve Association". March 17, 2005. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
- ^ "Hispanic Americans in Congress -- Tejeda". Library of Congress.
- ^ "Texas Memorial Highway System". Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2007-11-16. The reference erroneously lists the northern bound of the memorial highway as Loop 410 which has not existed in Bexar County since 1969, or anywhere else in the state since 1991.
- ^ "Frank M. Tejeda Post Office Building | Capitol Words". Archived from the original on 2014-01-28. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
- ^ "The City of San Antonio - Official City Website > ParksAndRec > Home".
References
edit- United States Congress. "Frank Tejeda (id: T000113)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-02-02
- "TEJEDA, Frank Mariano, (1945–1997) — Biographical Information". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
- "Frank M. Tejeda". Hispanic Americans in Congress from 1822 to 1995. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
- "Frank M. Tejeda Biography". The Frank M. Tejeda Center for Excellence in Environmental Operations. Archived from the original on 2004-11-06. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
- John P. Schmal. ""Sixty-Fifth Session (1977–1978)" in The Tejano Struggle for Representation". The Hispanic Experience: Hispanics in Government. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
External links
edit- "Votes by Frank Tejeda". The U.S. Congress Votes Database. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
- Appearances on C-SPAN