Marty Martínez | |
|---|---|
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| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia | |
| In office July 13, 1982 – January 3, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | George E. Danielson |
| Succeeded by | Hilda Solis |
| Constituency | 30th district (1982–1993) 31st district (1993–2001) |
| Member of theCalifornia State Assembly from the59th district | |
| In office December 1, 1980 – July 15, 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Jack R. Fenton |
| Succeeded by | Charles Calderon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Matthew Gilbert Martínez (1929-02-14)February 14, 1929 Walsenburg, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | October 15, 2011(2011-10-15) (aged 82) Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (before 1974, 2000–2011) Democratic (1974–2000) |
| Children | Diane (daughter) |
| Education | Los Angeles Trade-Technical College |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Rank | Private first class |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Matthew Gilbert "Marty"Martínez (February 14, 1929 – October 15, 2011)[1] was an American politician who served as theU.S. representative fromCalifornia's 30th congressional district from 1982 to 1993 andCalifornia's 31st congressional district from 1993 to 2001, both as a member of theDemocratic Party and theRepublican Party. Martínez switched parties to become a Republican after being defeated in a 2000 primary.
Martínez's family moved toLos Angeles when he was young, and he attendedpublic schools in Los Angeles. In 1949 he graduated fromRoosevelt High School. From 1947 to 1950 he served in theU.S. Marine Corps, achieving the rank ofprivate first class. In 1956 he received a certificate of competence from theLos Angeles Trade-Technical College.[2]
For the next fifteen years he owned and operated a custom furniture upholstery company and worked as a building contractor.
He began his political career in 1971 when he became a member of theMonterey Park Planning Commission, and served until 1974 when he was elected to the Monterey ParkCity Council. He served until 1980, including two terms as mayor in 1974 and 1980.
In 1980, Martínez defeated incumbentJack R. Fenton in the Democraticprimary election inCalifornia's 59th State Assembly district. He was elected to theCalifornia State Assembly with no major-party opponent.[3]
In 1982George E. Danielson left theU.S. House of Representatives to take thebench. Martínez won thespecial election to succeed him, and was reelected nine times by varying margins.
In his first term in Congress he was assigned to theEducation and Labor Committee. In the99th Congress (1985–87) hechaired theSubcommittee on Employment Opportunities. In 1991, he became the Chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee. In 1992, Martínez was named to theForeign Affairs Committee, and served on the Subcommittee on International Security, International Organizations and Human Rights.
In 2000, Martínez was defeated in the Democratic primary by liberal State SenatorHilda Solis 62% to 29%. She charged that he was out of touch with his district when he voted to banpartial-birth abortion and opposedgun control. (He was bothRoman Catholic and a member of theNational Rifle Association of America.)[2] While he had been a reliably Democratic vote on most issues throughout his congressional career, after his primary loss Martínez began to vote overwhelmingly with Republicans. On July 27, 2000, Martínez switched to the Republican Party, arguing that the Democrats had abandoned him. There was no Republican candidate on the ballot in the district for the 2000 election, and Martínez declined to attempt a write-in candidacy, though he remained critical of Solis and promised to stay active in the Republican party.[4] His term in Congress ended on January 3, 2001, at the end of the106th Congress.
Martínez was married to Elvira Yorba Martinez, with whom he had five children: Matthew Adrian, Michael Gilbert, Diane, Susan, and Carol Ann. His daughter,Diane Martínez, served in the State Assembly from 1992 to 1998.
On October 15, 2011, Martínez died at his home inFredericksburg, Virginia.[5][6][7] He had suffered from congestive heart failure.[8]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 30th congressional district 1982–1993 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of theCongressional Hispanic Caucus 1985–1986 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 31st congressional district 1993–2001 | Succeeded by |
Chairs of theCongressional Hispanic Caucus | ||
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| National | |
| People | |
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