My question involves labor and employment law for the state of:

Texas

I believe I have been wrongfully terminated from Tom Thumb Pharmacy last year on June 21, 2007. I asked for the day off due to a family medical emergency out of state. When I arrived at my destination, I phoned my employer and told him I wouldn't be able to make it to work that day. He then asked me where I was calling from and I told him I was at the hospital. Then he tells me exactly in these words..... "you know what?.....don't even bother coming back, you're fired!"

Are they allowed to terminate me for a family medical emergency? When does the FMLA Act come into effect?