A Representative from Texas; born in Piedras Negras, Mexico, December 9, 1946; attended Harlandale High School, San Antonio, Tex.; B.A., St. Marys University, San Antonio, Tex., 1973; M.S.W., Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Tex., 1978; member of the Texas state house of representatives, 1987-1997; member, Harlandale Independent School District School Board, San Antonio, Tex., 1975-1987; consultant; caseworker, Our Lady of the Lake Universitys Worden School of Social Work, San Antonio, Tex., 1987-1996; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Fifth Congress, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Frank Tejeda, reelected to the One Hundred Sixth and to the two succeeding Congresses (April 12, 1997-January 3, 2005); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 2004; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Tenth and to the succeeding Congress (January 3, 2007-January 3, 2011); unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Twelfth Congress in 2010.