[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 34 (Monday, February 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF ANDREW AND ILA MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2019

  Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of Andrew 
and Ila Martinez of Huntsville, Texas.
  Andrew and Ila, beloved parents and lifelong Texans, spent their 
lives in service to others, and today, we remember all that they stood 
for. Andrew ``Andy'' Martinez was born in Galveston, Texas and later 
became a proud member of the Huntsville community. His multifaceted 
career path included time spent as a proud small business owner of 
Martinez Tire and Supply, a construction safety supervisor for the 
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and as an ordained 
minister. A faithful and steadfast Christian, Andy served as the 
interim pastor of Faith Memorial Baptist Church, and was an active 
member of several other churches in the Huntsville area.
  Andy's faithfulness, generosity, and love for those around him was 
not only evident on Sundays--it was visible every day of his life. Andy 
served the Huntsville community in a variety of public roles. He was an 
elected member of the Huntsville City Council, the Director for Trinity 
River Authority's Walker County Area, a member of the Board of Trustees 
for Huntsville lSD, and Chairman of the Republican Party of Walker 
County. Andy also acted as a Prison Ministry Volunteer in Huntsville--a 
position he held for over 30 remarkable years. Those who knew Andy will 
attest to his sincere selflessness. He always worked towards leaving 
the Huntsville community better than he found it.
  Ila Martinez was Andy's wonderful wife of over 63 years and was not 
only a devoted partner to him, but was a loving mother and active in 
the community as well. A leading member of the Republican Party of 
Walker County, Ila was involved in the Red Hat Ladies and the Calendar 
Girls, a group of friends from Conroe High School that would meet once 
a month at lunchtime. Ila had a great love for volunteering and was 
often working with the Walker County Republican women or at her church 
library. Ila was a doting grandmother and her greatest pleasure was 
teaching her beloved granddaughters how to sew and bake.
  Andy and Ila had two daughters, Andrea Scott and the late Debbie 
Martinez, and a son, Russell Martinez. Andy and Ila are survived by 
Andrea and her husband Wayne; their son, Russell; two beautiful 
grandchildren, Angela Stacks and husband Jared; Mika Spears and her 
husband Neal; and three great-grandchildren: Draper Stacks, Megan 
Anthony, and Trent Spears.
  The legacy of Andy and Ila will always be a part of the Huntsville 
community, kept alive in the hearts of those who knew and loved them. 
Both were selfless servants dedicated to bettering the lives of those 
around them, and they will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________