[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 28 (Friday, February 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF MR. BENITO ANTONIO MARTINEZ OCASIO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 11, 2022

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
accomplishments and contributions of Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio.
  Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio was born on March 10, 1994, in 
Almirante Sur, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Mr. Martinez Ocasio wanted to be 
a singer since he was five years old and pursued the studied 
audiovisual communication at the University of Puerto Rico at Recinto 
de Arecibo before leaving the program to pursue his music career.
  A native of Puerto Rico, Martinez Ocasio, has been a great force in 
the rise of the island's popular reggaeton music. His parents Lysaurie 
Ocasio Declet and Tito Martinez and family inspired his music 
aspirations. His mother Lysaurie encouraged Martinez Ocasio into music 
at a young age in his church choir.
  Benito's family instilled in him the belief that life is not measured 
by the amount of money or trophies a person has but rather the 
challenges overcome and an appreciation for life.
  Mr. Martinez Ocasio is actively involved in the betterment of his 
community, Los Angeles County, and in neighborhoods across our great 
nation including his hometown of Almirante Sur, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. 
He has been recognized by countless local leaders in Los Angeles County 
and throughout California for his tremendous support to the community 
and dedication to assisting those in need.
  In 2018, Martinez Ocasio was vacationing in Puerto Rico when he 
decided to make a generous donation of $100,000 to the nonprofit 
organization SER of Puerto Rico. The donation supported children with 
autism and muscular disabilities who require rehabilitation. At the end 
of a telethon that he participated in, SER received $1.7 million in 
donations. Martinez Ocasio has been a role model for disability 
communities and is working to ensure that one day the cure for autism 
is found. One in thirty five children born today will have Autism, but 
people like Mr. Martinez Ocasio have given hope to millions in the 
fight to find the cure one day.
  Martinez Ocasio has not forgotten his humble roots and the 
neighborhood that had a profound impact on his upbringing and has given 
back his time and resources to his community. In one instance, Martinez 
Ocasio helped a 13-year-old Cayman Islands boy who was residing in a 
hospital and in need of thousands of dollars to cover his medical 
expenses including a needed heart transplant surgery. When the boy's 
story caught his attention, Martinez Ocasio brought public awareness to 
the boy's critical need for an expensive surgery and called on other 
artists as well as ordinary people to donate any amount they could 
afford. Together they successfully raised the necessary resources for 
the boy's surgery.
  Martinez Ocasio has led the way in helping others in California in 
the City and County of Los Angeles, focusing on assisting Angelenos 
with developmental disabilities. He has established himself as a leader 
and a charitable American utilizing his talents to create unique 
opportunities for all ages to thrive and impact the world.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. 
Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio and applauding his contributions and 
philanthropic endeavors.

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