[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22803]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         COMMENDING SENATOR MELQUIADES RAFAEL ``MEL'' MARTINEZ

  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to my distinguished 
colleague from Florida, Mel Martinez, who retired from the Senate 
earlier this month.
  I have worked with Senator Martinez since he was elected to serve the 
people of Florida in 2004. He has served his country proudly in several 
different roles. Senator Martinez also had the distinct honor to serve 
as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in President George 
W. Bush's Cabinet and as the chairman of the Republican National 
Committee. In both roles, it was not personal ambition that drove Mel. 
Rather, it was his passion to make his country a better place to live 
for his family and for all Americans.
  I have also had the privilege of serving on the Senate Banking 
Committee with Senator Martinez. As a member of this committee, Mel 
brought a greater understanding and perspective on housing issues 
facing the Nation than many Senators that have served on this 
committee. Floridians and all Americans have benefited from his vast 
experience in this area as well as his dedication to serve for the 
greater good. A person of this caliber will truly be missed in the 
United States.
  I am honored to know him and to have worked with him. I would like to 
thank Senator Martinez for his contributions to the Senate and to the 
country we both love. I wish him and his family the best in all of 
their future endeavors.

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