Matthew Gilbert"Marty"Martínez(February 14, 1929 – October 15, 2011)[1]was an American politician who served as theU.S. representativefromCalifornia's 30th congressional districtfrom 1982 to 1993 andCalifornia's 31st congressional districtfrom 1993 to 2001, both as a member of theDemocratic Partyand theRepublican Party.Martínez switched parties to become a Republican after being defeated in a 2000 primary.
Marty Martínez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.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(1982–93) 31st district(1993–2001) |
| Member of theCalifornia State Assembly from the59thdistrict | |
| In office December 1, 1980 - July 15, 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Jack R. Fenton |
| Succeeded by | Charles Calderon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 14, 1929 Walsenburg, Colorado,U.S. |
| Died | October 15, 2011(aged 82) Fredericksburg, Virginia,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican(Before 1974, 2000–2011) Democratic(1974–2000) |
| Children | Diane Martinez(daughter) |
| Education | Los Angeles Trade-Technical College |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Rank | Private first class |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Early life
editMartínez's family moved toLos Angeleswhen 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.
Political career
editHe began his political career in 1971 when he became a member of theMonterey ParkPlanning 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.
State assembly
editIn 1980, Martínez defeated incumbentJack R. Fentonin the Democraticprimary electioninCalifornia's 59th State Assembly district.He was elected to theCalifornia State Assemblywith no major-party opponent.[3]
Congress
editIn 1982George E. Danielsonleft theU.S. House of Representativesto take thebench.Martínez won thespecial electionto 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) hechairedtheSubcommitteeon 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.
Defeat
editIn 2000, Martínez was defeated in the Democratic primary by liberal State SenatorHilda Solis62% to 29%. She charged that he was out of touch with his district when he voted to banpartial-birth abortionand opposedgun control.(He was bothRoman Catholicand 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.
Family
editMartínez 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.
Death
editOn October 15, 2011, Martínez died at his home inFredericksburg, Virginia.[5][6][7]He had suffered from congestive heart failure.[8]
Memberships
edit- San Gabriel ValleyYMCAboard of directors
- Hispanic American Democrats
- National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
- Communications Workers of America
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- American Legion
- Latin Business Association
- Monterey ParkChamber of Commerce
- Navy League(director)
- Rotary International[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Matthew G. 'Marty' Martinez dies at 82; former congressman".21 October 2011 – via LA Times.
- ^ab Simon, Richard; Antonio Olivo (2000-02-23)."Two Incumbent Congressmen Facing Tough Challenges".Los Angeles Times.p. B-1.Archivedfrom the original on 2012-10-08.Retrieved2008-09-16.
- ^ Vassar, Alex; Shane Meyers."11-04-1980 Election".JoinCalifornia.One Voter Project.Archivedfrom the original on 2007-02-22.Retrieved2008-09-18.
- ^Simon, Richard (July 27, 2000)."Martinez Switches to GOP in His Final Term".The Los Angeles Times.
- ^"Matthew G. 'Marty' Martinez dies at 82; former congressman".Los Angeles Times.October 21, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on October 19, 2011.
- ^ "Former area Congressman Matthew 'Marty' Martinez dead at 82".Pasadena Star-News.October 18, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon June 4, 2012.
- ^Hevesi, Dennis (October 19, 2011)."Matthew G. Martinez, Ex-Democratic Lawmaker, Dies at 82".New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2011.
- ^Shapiro, T. Rees (October 20, 2011)."Nine-term California congressman Matthew G. Martinez dies at 82".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on March 6, 2016.
- ^"Matthew Gilbert Martinez." Marquis Who's Who TM. Marquis Who's Who, 2008. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2008.http://galenet.galegroup /servlet/BioRC.(Fee) Document Number: K2013018942