[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE FOR JOSE ``LEFTY'' MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2006

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jose ``Lefty'' 
Martinez, a lifelong resident of Laredo, for his bravery and service to 
the nation during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Jose Martinez 
passed away recently on March 23rd, 2006, in San Antonio, Texas.
  There were many that lost their lives during World War II, however, 
Lefty Martinez's valiant return reminded us of the sacrifices made in 
defending our freedom and liberty. It was the call to service that drew 
Lefty at the age of seventeen. It was March 1946, when Lefty had 
enlisted in the Marine Corps, which took him to the Barbers Point Naval 
Air Station in Hawaii, working on C-46 and C-54 aircraft transports.
  When his two-year tour was cut to fifteen months, however, he 
remained with aviation for years after he left the Marine Corps as a 
civilian contractor. Veterans' training benefits gave him the 
opportunity to receive federal licensing as an aircraft mechanic, 
enabling him to serve all over the United States and in places such as 
the Philippines, Thailand, France, and Vietnam. In Vietnam, he lost 
half of his civilian contract crew during the 1968 Tet Offensive, and 
shortly afterwards, he returned back to Laredo, Texas.
  In Laredo, Lefty joined veteran organizations and was the commander 
of the Catholic War Veterans Post 1908. He also was a former member of 
the American Legion, VFW, Marine Corps League and Vietnam Veterans of 
America. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Fourth 
Degree Assembly No. 2565, and a former member of the Laredo Evening 
Lions Club and the Webb County Heritage Foundation.
  What I remember about Lefty was his dedication to his country. In the 
spare time he had, he always stopped by the middle and high schools to 
talk about his war experiences, and he showed the importance in serving 
one's country with honor and dignity. It is a great loss to this 
country to have lost such a great veteran, and I hope we will continue 
to treat our veterans today with the respect they deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the 
bravery and dedication of Jose ``Lefty'' Martinez.

                          ____________________