Frank L. Madla

[1] Madla was initially elected to the lower house of the Texas legislature in a San Antonio-based district in 1972.

[2] In May 2005 a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Texas passed the Senate after Madla changed his position and voted for it.

[3] Madla had maintained his Senate seat without opposition until successfully challenged in the Democratic primary held in March 2006 by the District 118 state representative, Carlos I.

[5] Carla Vela, the then Bexar County Democratic Party chairman, said that issues were less important in the Madla-Uresti race than an ongoing intraparty power struggle involving the political families who control the Southside section of San Antonio.

[6] Shortly after his primary defeat, Madla announced that he would resign his Senate seat early, effective May 31, 2006.

His granddaughter was initially thought to have survived, but was declared without brain function and died after being removed from life support a day later.

U.S. President George W. Bush issued his condolences to the Madla family and promised to pray for Helen Madla's full recovery: "Frank was a dedicated public servant who devoted more than three decades of his life to serving his state and all its people in the Texas House and Senate.

Perry issued this tribute: "Frank Madla was a dear friend and a dedicated public servant who was an exemplary representative for South and West Texas.