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.
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 honorsatFort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
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 VAoutpatient clinic 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]
^"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.
"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.
