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'''Melquíades Rafael "Mel" Martínez''', born October 23, 1946 (age {{age|1946|10|23}}), is a [[Cuba]]n-[[America]]n, who is currently the junior [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] from [[Florida]] and 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 August 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 [[Roman 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 [[Texas]] [[Governor]] [[George W. Bush]]'s 2000 Presidential campaign in Florida. Bush carried Florida and won the election. 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 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.  

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==