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'''Melquíades Rafael "Mel" Martínez''', born October 23, 1946 (age {{age|1946|10|23}}), is a Cuban-American, who in September 2009 resigned his seat as the junior [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] from [[Florida]]. he was the former General Chairman of the [[Republican Party]]. Previously, Martinez served as the 12th [[Secretary of Housing and Urban Development]] under President [[George W. Bush]]. Martinez is Catholic.  

'''Melquíades Rafael "Mel" Martínez''', born October 23, 1946 (age {{age|1946|10|23}}), is a Cuban-American, who in September 2009 resigned his seat as the junior [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] from [[Florida]]. he was the former General Chairman of the [[Republican Party]]. Previously, Martinez served as the 12th [[Secretary of Housing and Urban Development]] under President [[George W. Bush]]. Martinez is Catholic.  

==Early Life==  

==Early life==

Martinez was born in Sagua La Grande, Cuba, to Gladys V. Ruiz and Melquiades C. Martinez. He came to the United States in 1962 as part of a Catholic humanitarian effort called Operation Peter Pan, which brought into the U.S. more than 14,000 children. Not knowing a word of English, Martinez learned the language, earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Florida State University, and went on to practice law for 25 years.  

Martinez was born in Sagua La Grande, Cuba, to Gladys V. Ruiz and Melquiades C. Martinez. He came to the United States in 1962 as part of a Catholic humanitarian effort called Operation Peter Pan, which brought into the U.S. more than 14,000 children. Not knowing a word of English, Martinez learned the language, earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Florida State University, and went on to practice law for 25 years.  

==Political career==  

==Political career==

In 1994, Martinez ran for Lieutenant Governor of Florida. He teamed up with former Family Research Council President [[Ken Connor]], who was the gubernatorial candidate. The Connor/Martinez ticket was defeated in the Republican primary, finishing fifth with 83,945 votes, or 9.31% of the vote. Martinez was the elected Chairman of Orange County, Florida, and served on the Governor's Growth Management Study Commission. He previously served as President of the Orlando Utilities Commission, on the board of directors of a community bank, and as Chairman of the Orlando Housing Authority. In 2000, Martinez was selected as the co-chairman of [[George W. Bush]]'s 2000 Presidential campaign in Florida. Bush carried Florida by under 400 votes after intense controversy and thus became president.  

In 1994, Martinez ran for Lieutenant Governor of Florida. He teamed up with former Family Research Council President [[Ken Connor]], who was the gubernatorial candidate. The Connor/Martinez ticket was defeated in the Republican primary, finishing fifth with 83,945 votes, or 9.31% of the vote. Martinez was the elected Chairman of Orange County, Florida, and served on the Governor's Growth Management Study Commission. He previously served as President of the Orlando Utilities Commission, on the board of directors of a community bank, and as Chairman of the Orlando Housing Authority. In 2000, Martinez was selected as the co-chairman of [[George W. Bush]]'s 2000 Presidential campaign in Florida. Bush carried Florida by under 400 votes after intense controversy and thus became president.  

In November 2004, Martinez was elected to the United States Senate in Florida. Sen. Martinez announced in August 2009 that he will resign from the Senate. <ref>http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/mel_martinez_retiring/2009/08/07/245239.html</ref>

In November 2004, Martinez was elected to the United States Senate in Florida. Sen. Martinez announced in August 2009 that he will resign from the Senate.<ref>http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/mel_martinez_retiring/2009/08/07/245239.html</ref>

Mel Martinez was one of the first Republicans in the Senate to endorse President Obama's Supreme Court nominee [[Sonia Sotomayor]]. <ref>http://www.rollcall.com/news/36930-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</ref>

Mel Martinez was one of the first Republicans in the Senate to endorse President Obama's Supreme Court nominee [[Sonia Sotomayor]].<ref>http://www.rollcall.com/news/36930-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</ref>

==Political views==  

==Political views==

With the exception of his stance on immigration, Mel Martinez is known as a strong [[conservative]]. Throughout his Senate career, he has voted with Republicans 84% of the time. <ref>http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m001162/</ref>

With the exception of his stance on immigration, Mel Martinez is known as a strong [[conservative]]. Throughout his Senate career, he has voted with Republicans 84% of the time.<ref>http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m001162/</ref>

===[[Abortion]]===  

===[[Abortion]]===

Martinez is morally opposed to abortion even in case of rape or incest. He supports education to reduce abortions, and supports the promotion of alternatives such as adoption. From 2007-2008 he received a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee. <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=31193</ref> In a debate moderated by [[Tim Russert]], Martinez stated the following on [[Roe v. Wade]]:

Martinez is morally opposed to abortion even in case of rape or incest. He supports education to reduce abortions, and supports the promotion of alternatives such as adoption. From 2007-2008 he received a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee.<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=31193</ref> In a debate moderated by [[Tim Russert]], Martinez stated the following on [[Roe v. Wade]]:

"The bottom line is I don't plan on prosecuting anyone. When I go to the United States Senate, I'm going to be confirming judges who will go to the courts, and the courts will deal with the issue. This is not up for a vote by the United States Senate." Adding, "We're far from prosecuting people in this country over that issue."

"The bottom line is I don't plan on prosecuting anyone. When I go to the United States Senate, I'm going to be confirming judges who will go to the courts, and the courts will deal with the issue. This is not up for a vote by the United States Senate." Adding, "We're far from prosecuting people in this country over that issue."

In November 2006, Martinez was named general chairman of the Republican Party for the 2007–2008 election cycle ([[Mike Duncan]] will handle the day-to-day operations). Many conservatives objected to Martinez's selection, citing his position on immigration. He would later step down.

In November 2006, Martinez was named general chairman of the Republican Party for the 2007–2008 election cycle ([[Mike Duncan]] will handle the day-to-day operations). Many conservatives objected to Martinez's selection, citing his position on immigration. He would later step down.

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://martinez.senate.gov/public/ Official Website]

*[http://martinez.senate.gov/public/ Official Website]

*[http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Mel_Martinez.htm Martinez On the Issues]

*[http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Mel_Martinez.htm Martinez On the Issues]

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[[Category:Former United States Senators]]

[[Category:Former United States Senators]]

[[Category:RINOs]]

[[Category:RINOs]]

[[Category: 111th United States Congress]]

[[Category:111th United States Congress]]

[[Category:Florida]]

[[Category:Florida]]

[[Category:United States Appointed Officials]]

[[Category:United States Appointed Officials]]