[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 23, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S439]]
                           EXECUTIVE SESSION

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 NOMINATIONS OF MITCHELL E. DANIELS, JR., TO BE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE 
 OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET; ANTHONY JOSEPH PRINCIPI, TO BE SECRETARY OF 
 VETERANS AFFAIRS; AND MELQUIADES RAFAEL MARTINEZ, TO BE SECRETARY OF 
                     HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

       The legislative clerk read the nominations of Mitchell E. 
     Daniels, Jr., of Indiana, to be Director of the Office of 
     Management and Budget; Anthony Joseph Principi, of 
     California, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and 
     Melquiades Rafael Martinez, of Florida, to be Secretary of 
     Housing and Urban Development.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, Mel Martinez has a great story. He is a 
self-made man who is destined to do great things. At age 15 he fled 
Cuba during the airlift of children known as Operation Pedro Pan. 
Although, he was alone, he would soon begin his American Dream.
  A graduate of Florida State University College of Law in 1973, 
Martinez joined an Orlando firm and practiced personal injury law. 
During his 25 years of law practice in Orlando, he was very involved in 
a variety of community activities. In 1984, he was appointed chairman 
of the Orlando Housing Authority by the mayor. He held this post for 
two years, later serving as president of the Orlando Utilities 
Commission.
  He also served as Chairman of Governor Jeb Bush's Growth Management 
Commission, declaring a moratorium on new residential projects in 
already-crowded school districts.
  In 1998, he was elected Orange County chairman. As the Chief 
Executive of a government, he was responsible for providing complete 
urban services to over 860,000 people. In this mayoral-like role, he 
advocated home ownership programs for low-income families and lowered 
property taxes. He concentrated on programs emphasizing public safety, 
growth management, the needs of children and families, clean 
neighborhoods, improved transportation, and the streamlining of 
government.
  As Secretary of HUD, Mr. Martinez, assumes the $30 billion budget, 
which faces a critical shortage of low-income properties and mid-income 
rentals. According to a recent HUD report, 5.4 million families pay 
more than 50 percent of their gross income for rent.
  Mr. President, I believe that Mel Martinez will be a great asset for 
HUD. Because of his life story, he will be able to handle the sensitive 
issues faced by this department. His story speaks for itself. From a 
child fleeing from Cuba, to a successful Chairman, he has created his 
success.
  Mr. President, it is with honor that I support Mel Martinez as 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

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