[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 10 (Tuesday, February 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MARTIN BANDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2000

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending 
an outstanding young man from my district in South Texas, Martin Banda, 
who was the Southwest Region Youth of the Year in 1999 as part of the 
Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the National Youth of the Year 
Program. They only choose five winners nationally, so this was an 
enormous honor.
  Martin Banda is an 11-year member of the Boys and Girls Club of 
Harlingen, Texas. The circumstances of Martin's life are the sort that 
would make many people lose hope. Growing up in the Lemoyne Gardens 
housing project in Harlingen, Martin could easily have chosen an easy 
but dangerous life on the streets.
  But a higher power led Martin to join the Boys and Girls Club. He 
thanks the Lord for guiding him to the Club because it is a safe 
sanctuary from the street. But Martin's obstacles were not just on the 
streets. His father was incarcerated when Martin was just 5 years old, 
quickly making Martin the man of the house. This responsible young man 
took care of his mother and two sisters by disciplining himself and 
focusing his life around positive things.
  I understand the trauma with losing a father early; my own father 
died when I was 16, leaving me the oldest male in the house. But young 
Martin had to face that reality and responsibility much earlier in life 
than I did, and under different circumstances, so it is hard to see how 
difficult that event marked his young life.
  While Martin is grateful to them, the Boys and Girls Club and 
Harlingen are grateful to Martin as well. Martin is a role model for 
the other young people in the Boys and Girls Club. He has great 
athletic ability, having played on several championship football teams. 
But he is mostly admired for his strong leadership skills, developed 
first by his participation in the Torch Club and later by his service 
as vice president of the Keystone Club. At last count, Martin has 
already won $29,000 in scholarships. This is a very determined young 
man who will continue his education on his merit.
  Martin is a senior in high school and is a member of the National 
Junior Honor Society with a 3.75 GPA. It isn't just a pleasure, it is 
an honor, for me to represent this young man in Congress. I ask my 
colleagues to join me today in commending Martin Banda, the Southwest 
Youth of the Year winner for his triumph over the odds and his 
dedication to excellence.

                          ____________________