[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E802-E803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ARABELLA MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Arabella 
Martinez, a remarkable individual who is retiring after many years of 
exemplary service and dedicated community involvement in Oakland, 
California. On May 11, 2005, the community will celebrate Ms. Martinez 
``The legacy of a Living Legend'' at a dinner in her honor.
  Arabella Martinez has extensive experience in a wide range of 
activities affecting the role of minorities and women in the economy 
and larger society. Her experience in social work, community action 
programs, and community development led to her conviction that economic 
development, evolving from strong, community-directed institutions, was 
the most effective path toward economic self-sufficiency and 
empowerment. President Jimmy Carter recognized Ms. Martinez's talent 
and experience and appointed her Secretary for Human Development 
Services in the Department of Health Education and Welfare. She became 
the first Hispanic woman to hold this position.
  Ms. Martinez was one of the founders and the first Executive Director 
of the Spanish Speaking Unity Council. After a fifteen-year absence, 
she returned to the Unity Council in December 1989, to rescue it from 
near bankruptcy. The Spanish Speaking Unity Council is now one of the 
largest and most successful community development corporations in the 
nation. Besides founding the Unity Council, Ms. Martinez helped build 
the Women's Initiative for Self Employment as a Board member and 
consultant. She raised over $800,000 for the Oakland YWCA's capital 
campaign to save its historically significant Julia Morgan building.
  Over the past ten years, Ms. Martinez has successfully worked to 
revitalize the Fruitvale district, an inner-city neighborhood in 
Oakland, California. The revitalization includes major real estate 
development projects, community building activities, and a range of 
community and family asset development programs. Ms. Martinez's major 
responsibility has been the successful development of a $100 million 
mixed use, transit-oriented development around the Fruitvale BART 
station. The Transit Village includes 245,000 square feet of community 
facilities, child development and senior centers, a community clinic, a 
library, technology center, retail space housing and podium parking in 
two multi-level complexes, bisected by a pedestrian plaza.
  The Fruitvale Transit Village has transformed the community and its 
residents. It provides social services as well as community empowerment 
for individuals and businesses to thrive.
  Arabella Martinez is truly a living legend who continues to work 
tirelessly for the benefit of others. I join the community in 
expressing heartfelt appreciation for her noteworthy contributions. She 
leaves a legacy of talent and commitment that is hard to match.

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