[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22340]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    COMMENDING SENATOR MEL MARTINEZ

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I was deeply saddened by the recent 
announcement of the distinguished Senator from Florida, Mel Martinez, 
that he had decided to resign from the Senate. Although he had served 
in the Senate for a relatively short period of time--since January 4, 
2005--he had become a very important influence in this body.
  As the first Cuban American to serve in the Senate, he shared with us 
his personal experiences and insights into his early life in Cuba, 
including his separation from his parents at a young age as he traveled 
to Florida to embark upon a very successful new life of learning and 
leadership in the United States. He earned undergraduate and law 
degrees from Florida State University. He served as a member of the 
Orlando Utilities Commission and was elected Mayor of Orange County. 
President George W. Bush selected him to serve as a member of his 
Cabinet, as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He was elected 
a United States Senator in 2004 and quickly established himself as an 
effective advocate for his State in the Senate.
  Mel Martinez quickly became an active and influential member of the 
Armed Services Committee as well as the Banking, Housing and Urban 
Affairs Committee, and the Commerce, Science and Transportation 
Committee. His constituents benefitted in particular from his service 
as ranking member of the Senate's Special Committee on Aging.
  Mr. President I congratulate my friend from Florida on his very 
successful service and important contributions through his dedicated 
public service in Florida and in our Nation's Capital. I have enjoyed 
serving with him, and I wish him all the best in the years ahead.

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