Tejeda, Frank M. (Frank Mariano), 1945-1997

Frank Mariano Tejeda (October 2, 1945 – January 30, 1997) was an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably represented Texas's 28th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 until his death.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, he dropped out of Harlandale High School and joined the Marine Corps, earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart while serving a tour of duty in Vietnam. While enlisted, he earned high school equivalency degree; upon his return to San Antonio in 1967, he enrolled at St. Mary’s University, graduating with a B.A. in 1970. Tejeda went on to law school at the University of California at Berkeley, receiving his J.D. in 1974. He returned to San Antonio after law school to work as an attorney, remaining in the Marine Reserves and eventually earning the rank of major. In 1976, at age 31, Tejeda won a seat in the Texas state house of representatives. Tejeda spent a decade in the Texas house before advancing to the state senate. While serving in the legislature, Tejeda continued working as a lawyer and pursued two advanced degrees. In 1980 he obtained a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Harvard, and in 1989 he earned an LL.M. degree from Yale. In the state legislature, Tejeda developed a reputation as a dedicated and tenacious public servant and also cultivated alliances with politicians from San Antonio’s South Side and emerged as a leader of a formidable political coalition with a strong grass-roots base aimed at reform and community activism.

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