[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO GUADALUPE MARTINEZ

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I rise to honor Guadalupe Martinez, 
executive director of United Migrant Opportunity Services--UMOS--on his 
retirement. Over the last 55 years, Guadalupe Martinez has been a 
tireless advocate who has grown a multistate organization with programs 
to provide education, improve employment and housing for migrant 
workers and underserved populations.
  Mr. Martinez was born in 1945 in Corpus Christi, TX, to migrant 
parents and was one of 10 children. Throughout his life, his family 
migrated around the Midwest, working as fruit and vegetable harvesters, 
before settling in Oklahoma. As a young boy, his job was to haul 
baskets to the workers. Martinez also served as the translator for his 
family, taking care of essential household duties. Eventually, his 
family bought a farm in Stevens Point, WI.
  In 1969, Martinez saw a help wanted ad for UMOS. He applied, and on 
May 5, 1969, Martinez started as a community outreach worker in Door 
County, WI. He later enrolled in classes at UW-Milwaukee, became a 
teacher, and eventually rose to the position of director of education 
for UMOS. Then, in 1974, he became the CEO and president of UMOS.
  Martinez helped broaden the scope of UMOS by providing direct program 
services that focused on workforce development, social services, and 
child development. Through his leadership, UMOS has grown into the 
largest Hispanic-managed nonprofit in the State of Wisconsin and into 
one of the largest in the Nation. Martinez also founded the Latina 
Resource Center, which offers advocacy and supportive services to 
increase the safety and empower victims of domestic violence.
  As a young man, Martinez organized and marched side-by-side with 
Cesar Chavez during the Grape Boycott of the 1970s, and in 1993, 
Martinez served as a pallbearer for Cesar Chavez for his ``final 
march.''
  Mr. Martinez has served as chairman of the National Farmworker 
Alliance, MAFO, and, most recently served as chair of the Wisconsin 
Council on Migrant Labor. He has also served on the board of Farmworker 
Justice, Wisconsin Farmworkers Coalition, and National Council of La 
Raza.
  Mr. Martinez is truly a Wisconsin trailblazer, consistently fighting 
for equality throughout his 55-year career. He has been a tireless 
advocate since the 1960s, and I am pleased to join others in 
recognizing Guadalupe Martinez's success and contributions to the 
people of our State and our Nation. I wish him all the best in his 
retirement.

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