[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 26, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S246-S247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING DELIA MARTINEZ

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Ms. Delia Martinez of 
Henderson, NV, who on January 19, 2010, passed away at the age of 61. 
Ms. Martinez was a dedicated public servant who volunteered countless 
hours of service to communities around the State of Nevada.
  Ms. Martinez was born in Mexico City to U.S. Foreign Service officer 
Charles Coop and his wife Concepcion Martinez. When Delia was 7 years 
old her family moved to Nevada, where she would spend the rest of her 
life. After graduating with honors from Rancho High School in Las 
Vegas, Ms. Martinez went on to receive a degree in business management 
from the University of Nevada Reno in 1972.
  From an early age, Delia was attracted to the ideals of justice and 
equality for all. As a high school student, she became actively 
involved in the civil rights movement, and worked diligently to this 
end all throughout her life. Ms. Martinez later enjoyed the opportunity 
to act on the passion for equality she had obtained earlier in life, 
when she became the first Hispanic female executive director of the 
Nevada Equal Rights Commission. In

[[Page S247]]

this position, which she held for over 10 years, Ms. Martinez honorably 
served the citizens of Nevada by overseeing the State's pursuit to 
ensure equal employment opportunities.
  After her retirement from the professional world Ms. Martinez began 
serving in several organizations including the Henderson Democratic 
Club, Si Se Puede, the Clark County Hispanic Democratic Caucus, Clark 
County By-Laws Committee and the Clark County Democratic Black Caucus. 
Ms. Martinez understood the necessity of improving her community 
through public service and advocacy. For this reason, it is no surprise 
that she went on to serve in various leadership positions in many 
community-based groups. At the time of her passing, Ms. Martinez was 
serving as the president of the Henderson Democratic Club, treasurer of 
the Clark County Democratic Hispanic Caucus, and corresponding 
secretary for Si Se Puede.
  Along with her dedication to serving her community, Ms. Martinez will 
also be remembered for the overwhelming love she had for her family. 
Ms. Martinez was married to Glenn Phillips with whom she raised their 
beloved son Benjamin. Prior to the birth of her child, she mentored 
four nieces and nephews, inspiring them to become active community 
leaders in Nevada. Ms. Martinez is preceded in death by her parents and 
is survived by her husband, son, sister, and a large extended family 
throughout southern Nevada and across several States.
  I am humbled today to offer my profound gratitude to Ms. Martinez for 
her life of service to the citizens of the great State of Nevada, and 
with equal humility offer my deepest condolences to Ms. Martinez's 
family.

                          ____________________