Born in Laredo , Texas , PeÃ a earned a B.A. ( 1969 ) and a J.D. ( 1972 ) from the University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas School of Law . Born in Laredo , Texas , PeÃ a earned a B.A. ( 1969 ) and a J.D. ( 1972 ) from the University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas School of Law , respectively .