SR1269 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1269 LRB099 15653 GRL 39948 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Henry "Hank" Martinez; and

WHEREAS, Henry Martinez was born in Chicago to parents who came from Guanajuato, Mexico; and

WHEREAS, Henry Martinez dedicated his life to provide guidance for youth and to empower Latino communities; he was the Founder and Executive Director of the Mexican Community Committee, which was established to reduce crime and gang activity and was the first entity of its kind in the southeast community of Chicago; he was the Founder and Director of the Latino Resource Institute of Illinois, which also houses an Illinois Welcoming Center and Family Advocacy Center; he served as Senior Supervisor at the Chicago Area Project, which addresses juvenile delinquency in some of the poorest communities of the City of Chicago; he launched the first Latino community college program in southeast Chicago, "Projecto Venceremos", which was later adopted by the City Colleges of Chicago; he also served as part of Governor Ogilvie's Spanish Speaking Peoples Study Commission in the early 1970s, one of the first Latino commissions in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Over 3 decades later, Henry Martinez became convinced that Latinos needed a voice inside State government more than ever, which led him to become the visionary force behind the creation of the Illinois Latino Family Commission; he began serving as the organization's chairman in 2010 and led the efforts to fight for Latino equity and inclusion; and

WHEREAS, Henry Martinez served his country as a member of the United States military during the Korean War; he subsequently made it his mission to ensure that Latino veterans have a voice and access to well-deserved support; he was the founder of the Latino Veterans Committee of the Illinois Latino Family Commission to provide a forum to connect Latino veterans throughout the State to resources and each other; he led the efforts to establish a Vietnam veterans memorial in south Chicago that stands as a testament today to his commitment to his fellow veterans; he was also an active member of the American G.I. Forum and numerous boards, councils, and commissions throughout his many years of service and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, Henry Martinez graduated from Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago and held a master's degree in Juvenile Justice from Chicago State University; and

WHEREAS, Henry Martinez will be fondly remembered by those who knew and loved him for his roles as community organizer, youth advocate, government worker, consultant, journalist, social worker, executive director, Latino community leader, and devoted father, as well as his work as an action-oriented leader that accomplished many firsts on behalf of the Latino community; and

WHEREAS, Henry Martinez was preceded in death by his parents, Rafael, Sr. and Josephine Martinez, and his siblings, Dennis Martinez, Leobardo Martinez, Lorenzo Martinez, Frank Martinez, Paul Martinez, Evelyn Martinez, and Genevive Torres; and

WHEREAS, Henry Martinez is survived by his wife, Linda (nee Rico); his daughters, Alison Itzel Martinez and Kristal Fatima Martinez; his grandson, Henry Nathan Figueroa; and his siblings, Michael Martinez, Rafael Martinez, Constance Perez, Nadien Guerin, and Judith Rodriguez; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Henry "Hank" Martinez; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Henry Martinez as an expression of our sympathy.