[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21815-21816]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          RECOGNIZING EL PASO ARTIST ERNESTO PEDREGON MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2001

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an artist from my 
district. Ernesto Pedregon Martinez is a renowned international self-
taught artist and muralist. He was an illustrator and artist for the 
federal government for more than 35 years. He also served as a 
professor of Mexican-American art at El Paso Community College for nine 
years.
  Mr. Martinez was born and raised in the poor barrios of South El 
Paso. The focus of his work reflects his understanding and first-hand 
knowledge of the daily struggles of the Mexican people. Mr. Martinez is 
considered one the nation's leading Mexican-American artists. In 
addition, Ernesto Martinez has been a frequent guest speaker at many 
civic, religious, and military functions. This includes an appearance 
in Mexico City on the international program ``Siempre en Domingo'' with 
Raul Velasco.
  Ernesto Martinez served our country in the military. He served in 
World War II with General Terry Allen's famed 104th ``Timberwolf'' 
Division in Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star in combat, Combat 
Infantry Badge, and Battle Stars. In addition, Mr. Martinez has been 
active in the community of El Paso by serving as the Commander of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Number 9173 and the Vice-Commander of 
American Legion Number 36. He has also worked with the Disabled 
American Veterans, the Lions Club, the Boy Scouts of America, the 
Knights of Columbus, LULAC, and many other organizations.
  Mr. Martinez has most notably been recognized for his artistic 
abilities. He was selected as the ``Texas State Artist'' in two-
dimensional works of art in 1997-1998 by the Senate of the State of 
Texas. In 1998, he was featured in ``The Voice of America,'' a U.S. 
Government overseas television program and has been featured in 
numerous books. He was also recognized in ``Who's Who in American 
Art,'' in the years 1976, 1993, 1994 and was honored by the El Paso 
City Council for outstanding contributions to Mexican-American culture 
in 1977.

[[Page 21816]]

  Mr. Martinez's work has been commissioned as murals in many locations 
in El Paso including works such as ``Pre-Colombian Mexico,'' exhibited 
at Bowie High School; the ``Congressional Medal of Honor,'' at the 
Veteran's Clinic; and ``Desert Storm,'' which is a military mural 
commissioned by the Junior League and located at Stout Gym on Ft. 
Bliss. In addition, Mr. Martinez's work has been exhibited at the 
Centennial Museum and Glass Gallery at UTEP; the Corbett Gallery at New 
Mexico State University; the University of Colorado at Boulder; the El 
Paso Public Library; the Chamizal National Memorial Gallery; and the El 
Paso Civic Center.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the work and legacy of Mr. Ernesto Pedregon 
Martinez. He has made El Paso very proud.

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