[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 18 (Thursday, February 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF MR. LUCIANO ``LOU'' MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2004

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, last December the Palm Beach County Hispanic 
and Latino community lost one of its most beloved and outstanding 
leaders. Luciano Martinez, or ``Lou'' as we knew him, dedicated his 
life to helping others and founded the Hispanic Human Resources 
Council, helping thousands of individuals climb the ladder of success 
over many years in our local area.
  Lou had the biggest heart and the most fertile mind finding unique 
ways to bring much needed services to the fast growing Hispanic and 
Latino population in Palm Beach County. Without his tireless work, Head 
Start would not be available to launch children into a better 
education, mothers would not have quality day care to permit them to 
work and provide for their children, many low income families would 
have never experienced the joys of purchasing their first home, and a 
host of immigrants would be unable to adjust to a new and different 
lifestyle. Because of Lou all of the above did happen.
  Most important to Lou was the desire that while new arrivals adapted 
to a new culture; traditional Hispanic and Latino values and customs 
honed over thousands of years remained the centerpiece of family life. 
This desire to encourage individual identity, instilled pride in their 
common heritage to form a foundation for future generations to build 
upon, never forgetting the past.
  Mr. Speaker, Lou was born in Havana, Cuba, raised in Florida and 
arrived in Palm Beach County fresh with a degree from Florida 
International University. His leadership skills were quickly 
recognized, and after many years of helping the less fortunate, Lou in 
1977 founded the Hispanic Human Resources Council and served as its 
Executive Director for more than 26 years.
  His talent led others to call upon him to serve on a multitude of 
community leadership positions; Board of Directors of JFK Hospital, the 
American Red Cross, and The Forum Club. In helping children, he served 
on the Pre-K Early Intervention Committee, Child Advocacy Board of Palm 
Beach County, and the Governor's Conference on Children and Youth. The 
Su Casa Housing Program helping to establish home ownership is a model 
program that is copied elsewhere.
  There was so much more to the life of Luciano Martinez, he touched 
the lives of so many people, making life a little easier and less 
stressful. The smiling caring face of Lou was ever present, always 
ready to go the extra mile on behalf of his neighbors. His legacy is 
most apparent in the laughing happy children of Palm Beach County who 
continue to be under the care of the Hispanic Human Resources Council. 
The classrooms and playrooms in the West Palm Beach centers are filled 
with the memories of thousands of children who have passed through 
those doors, the hundreds who are there today, and the many more who 
will enter in future years. I am confident the spirit of Luciano will 
always be looking out for them from afar.
  Mr. Speaker, Vaya Con Dios Luciano Martinez. Well done, mission 
accomplished.

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