[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 105 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF MR. JOHN CARLOS MARTINS

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 22, 2018

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleagues, 
Representatives Devin Nunes and Jim Costa, to honor the life of Mr. 
John Carlos Martins, who sadly passed away on June 16, 2018.
  Mr. John Carlos Martins was born on April 21, 1964 in the parish of 
Altares, on the Portuguese island of Terceira. Just two years later, in 
1966, John and his family immigrated to the United States and settled 
in Artesia, California. At a young age, John developed an interest in 
carpentry. After graduating from Cerritos High School in 1982, Mr. 
Martins attended Los Angeles Trade-Technical College where he advanced 
and honed his craft further, enabling him to build a successful 
development company with his father and brother.
  In 1997, Mr. Martins was appointed to the City of Artesia Planning 
Commission and in 2001, he was elected to serve on the Artesia City 
Council. Following his service as city councilman, John continued 
working for the people of Artesia as Mayor of the city from 2004 until 
his retirement in 2010.
  Although John and his family left the Azores Islands of Portugal 
early in his childhood, he remained deeply connected to his roots, as 
seen through his steadfast involvement in the Portuguese-American 
community. John participated in, and held positions on, many local and 
statewide Portuguese-American organizations. Mr. Martins was a Board 
Member of the California Portuguese American Coalition, President of 
the Artesia DES Portuguese Center in 2006 and 2013, Board Director of 
the Luso-American Fraternal Federation for eight years, and in 2000, he 
became President of that same Federation. Additionally, in 2015, Mr. 
Martins was appointed Honorary Consul of Portugal in Los Angeles.
  While John dedicated the majority of his free time to his community, 
he also pursued his musical passions. John began playing guitar when he 
was only ten years old, and throughout his time in school he learned to 
play various other instruments. In 1979, he and his siblings formed the 
group Aquarious and travelled the world playing music for over twenty-
five years. In 2012, John teamed up with his son Cole and his old 
bandmate David to establish the band 562. The talented group performed 
throughout California at various events and festivals and to many sold 
out shows.
  Mr. Martins' tireless and selfless dedication to his community was 
truly inspiring. Although he left us too soon, John made a lasting, 
positive impact on the people he met. John is survived by his wife 
Karen and their three children.
  Mr. Speaker, today we ask our colleagues in the United States House 
of Representatives to join us in honoring the life of Mr. John Carlos 
Martins. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and 
community during this difficult time.

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