[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING ARABELLA MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2005

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of 
Arabella Martinez, a legendary figure in Oakland and throughout the San 
Francisco Bay Area. For almost four decades, Arabella has been a 
tireless advocate for community and economic development within Oakland 
and beyond, and the scope of her exemplary work on behalf of her 
community is truly unparalleled. I take pride in adding my voice to 
those of my constituents in honoring Arabella today on the occasion of 
her retirement.
  A student of social welfare, Arabella received both her BA and MA 
from the University of California at Berkeley. After receiving her 
degrees she became involved with the Community Service Organization, a 
Latino civil rights group.
  In 1967, Arabella became the first executive director to the Spanish 
Speaking Unity Council. She is best known for her position as CEO of 
this council and for developing programs to build responsibility and 
economic preparedness in the Latino community. During this time, she 
helped build this organization into a strong economic development and 
community organization with considerable assets.
  In 1974, Arabella took an absence from her work at the Unity Council 
and joined the Carter administration as assistant secretary of the U.S. 
Department of Health, Education and Welfare. After her term in 1980, 
she returned to Oakland and worked for almost a decade as the President 
of the Center for Policy Development.
  In 1992, Arabella returned to the Spanish Speaking Unity Council and 
helped the organization through complex financial problems. During her 
second term she spearheaded the Fruitvale BART project and sponsored 
the Fruitvale Community Collaborative. Both of these projects were 
formed to bring together residents, community groups, churches, 
schools, merchants, and agencies to improve the quality of life for 
children and families in the Oakland area.
  Arabella is also involved with many organizations such as the 
National Council of La Raza, the Drug Abuse Council, The Women's 
Initiative for Self-Employment, the Oakland Business Development 
Corporation, the Bank of America's Police Advisory Committee, the 
Oakland Housing Authority, the Oakland Parks and Recreation Commission 
and the University/Oakland Metropolitan Forum. She has received 
numerous awards for her work, such as the Hank Rosso Outstanding 
Fundraising Professional A ward, the 1993 MTC Award, the David C. 
Lizarraga Community Development A ward, and the Oakland Citizen of the 
Year Award.
  It is clearly evident through Arabella's activism that she is an 
extraordinary leader, friend and advocate for her community. Her 
exemplary humanism is an inspiration to us all, and it with great pride 
that I join the Oakland community in celebrating her accomplishments. 
On behalf of the 9th Congressional District, I salute and thank 
Arabella Martinez for the truly invaluable contributions and she has 
made to our community, and for the example she leaves for future 
generations to follow.

                          ____________________