[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 122 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1499-E1500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LEGACY OF LUIS MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 12, 2012

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to recognize Luis Martinez for his outstanding commitment and 
dedication to the Latino community in New York City and in Puerto Rico.
  Luis Martinez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Luis arrived in New 
York in 1954 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Air 
Force, where he served our country honorably for 24 years. While Luis 
was in the service, as a non-commissioned officer, he played and 
participated in baseball tournaments throughout Puerto Rico, including 
in San Juan, Aguadilla, Bayamon, and Mayaguez. Luis also participated 
in All-Squad athletic competitions in Japan, Guam, California, North 
Carolina, and New Jersey.
  Today, Luis is an active member of a variety of groups. He focuses 
many of his efforts increasing sports participation in the Latino 
community. Luis is Vice President for Community Affairs for the 
Hispanic-American Sports Coalition, which was founded in 1992. The 
Hispanic-American Sports Coalition is an umbrella group for all sports 
activities within the Latino community. The group organizes tournaments 
for youth athletes in baseball, basketball, and soccer, in addition to 
conducting training for players, coaches, and league officials. One of 
the most notable, popular, and exciting events that the Hispanic-
American Sports Coalition hosts is the Latino Little League World 
Series for 10-12 year olds, held in Red Hook, Brooklyn over a period of 
three days every Labor Day Weekend. This tournament has drawn the 
enthusiastic support of New York City Mayors, New York State Governors, 
and other public figures and distinguished personalities.
  Luis is also a committee member of Latino Sports, Inc., as well as 
the Latino Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association. The latter 
group is responsible for annually selecting the most valuable Hispanic 
baseball players in the National and American Leagues. Luis is also the 
founder of the The Greater New York Cosmopolitan Amateur Baseball 
Association, Inc.
  However, Luis is also an accomplished photojournalist for the weekly 
newspaper La Voz Hispana, the magazines Discomundo and Espectaculos, as 
well as the newspaper Impacto. Through his photography he has 
documented the day to day life of Puerto Ricans and Latinos in New York 
City, providing an unparalleled photographic history of one of the most 
vibrant communities in New York. Luis has also contributed to his 
community as president for 15 years of the Lower East Side Hispanic 
Committee, Inc. In recognition of all his work he was awarded the Ramon 
Emerito Betances Award from the National Puerto Rican Parade.
  Mr. Speaker, Luis Martinez has made an outstanding contribution to 
his community. His extraordinary dedication and devotion in bringing 
athletic opportunities to youngsters is remarkable. His multifaceted 
background as a photojournalist, community leader, and sports 
enthusiast has enriched the lives of thousands of New Yorkers. Mr. 
Speaker, I ask that my

[[Page E1500]]

colleagues join me in recognizing a gifted individual, Luis ``White 
Shoes'' Martinez.

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