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First Cuban-American To
Join Only Black In Senate
Hardbeatnews.com,
NY, November 4, 2004.
HBN, WASHINGTON, D.C., Thurs. Nov. 4: Former
Housing and Urban Development Secretary,
Mel Martinez, has made history by becoming
the first Cuban-American to be elected to
the U.S. Senate.
Cuban-Americans in Florida voted to send
Martinez to the Senate by choosing him over
Democratic rival, Betty Castor, in a nail
biter. Unofficial tallies early yesterday
showed a 49.4 to 48.4 margin, excluding
absentee and provisional ballots.
But despite the outstanding votes, Castor
conceded and Martinez made his victory speech.
He was quick to thank his fellow nationals,
"… from across Florida - from
the Florida Keys to the Florida Panhandle."
"To those who made phone calls, walked
door to door, contributed funds, put up
signs, or honored me with your vote, I give
you my deepest thanks," he said.
And the Republican Senator-Elect pledged
to "… do everything in my power
to fight for the freedom of the land of
our birth."
The U.S., under President Bush, has continued
to tighten the embargo on Cuba, mainly because
of the lobbying effort of anti-Castro exiles
in Florida.
Martinez left Cuba 43 years ago, at the
age of 15. According to his bio, he lived
with foster families for four years until
he and his family were reunited in Orlando.
He later graduated from the Bishop Moore
High School in Orlando and then went to
Florida State University in Tallahassee
where he worked his way through school and
earned his undergraduate and law degrees.
After receiving his undergraduate degree,
Mel worked for then Secretary of State Tom
Adams. It was in this office that Mel Martinez
first met the man who hired him, Jim Smith,
who has since commendably served Florida
as Attorney General and Secretary of State.
Upon graduating from Law School Mel returned
to Orlando - the community that adopted
him years earlier - and went to work with
a law firm that included Orlando's legendary
Mayor, Bill Frederick.
Eager to give back to the community that
had provided opportunities for him, Mel
became involved in various youth, business
and civic organizations. Mel served on numerous
Boards including: Chairman of the Orlando
Housing Authority, Chairman of the Orlando
Utilities Commission, Vice Chairman of Catholic
Charities and many others. He even shared
his love of baseball by coaching Little
League.
During the 1996 election cycle he served
as a statewide Co-Chair for Bob Dole's Presidential
campaign and was a Dole delegate to Presidency
III in Orlando. He also served as Co-Chair
of the Bush for President campaign in 2000,
a Bush delegate to the Republican National
Convention and was a Presidential Elector.
After being elected Orange County Chairman
in 1998, Governor Jeb Bush appointed him
as Chairman of the Growth Management Study
Commission.
He later became the mayor of Orange County
and was later called to Washington by President
Bush, to serve in his Cabinet.
Martinez now joins Barak Obama, who will
be the lone black face in the Senate come
January. Though both are on different sides
of the aisle they share a common thread
- Martinez is an immigrant while Obama is
the son of an immigrant. - Hardbeatnews.com
©2003
Hardbeatnews
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