Bill Text: TX HR21 | 2023 | 88th Legislature 3rd Special Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Congratulating Robert Martinez Jr. on his retirement as international president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2023-11-02 - Reported enrolled [HR21 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR21-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 21 | ||
|
|
||
| WHEREAS, Robert Martinez Jr. is retiring as international | ||
| president of the International Association of Machinists and | ||
| Aerospace Workers on January 1, 2024, following more than 43 years | ||
| of service to one of the nation's largest labor unions; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In 2016, Bob Martinez became the first Latino | ||
| international president of a major American labor union, and he | ||
| capably guided IAM through a turbulent era; during the COVID-19 | ||
| pandemic, he and his team worked tirelessly to secure such relief as | ||
| the airline Payroll Support Program and the Aviation Manufacturing | ||
| Jobs Protection Program, keeping hundreds of thousands of Americans | ||
| at work and protecting countless families; the union bolstered its | ||
| financial stability and enjoyed historic membership growth as it | ||
| expanded into new industries, including health care, technology, | ||
| architecture, museums, and gig work; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez increased opportunities for | ||
| underrepresented groups to advance in IAM and launched a women's | ||
| leadership initiative; in addition, he created innovative programs | ||
| to assist members and their families, such as 24-hour access to | ||
| addiction services and free assistance with Veterans | ||
| Administration claims; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A third-generation union member, Mr. Martinez | ||
| joined Local 776A in Fort Worth in 1980, after serving as a | ||
| U.S. Navy aircraft mechanic and going to work for Lockheed Martin | ||
| Aeronautics; in 1995, he was appointed to the staff of the IAM | ||
| Safety and Health Department, and he later oversaw training in 14 | ||
| states as Southern Territory Education representative; he joined | ||
| the Executive Council in 2003 and became IAM Headquarters general | ||
| vice president in 2013; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez has championed domestic manufacturing, | ||
| especially in the defense sector, as a member of the IAM Executive | ||
| Council and the U.S. President's Export Council; moreover, he has | ||
| served as IndustriALL Global Union's aerospace chair, and he has | ||
| shared his expertise with the executive councils of many other | ||
| organizations, among them the AFL-CIO, the Labor Council for Latin | ||
| American Advancement, and the Alliance for Retired Americans; Guide | ||
| Dogs of America recognized his efforts in its behalf with the Gift | ||
| of Sight Award, its highest honor; his numerous accolades further | ||
| include the LCLAA Cesar Chavez Award; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Through his vision, leadership, and drive to improve | ||
| the lives of workers and their families, Bob Martinez has | ||
| significantly advanced the vital mission of the American labor | ||
| movement, and his contributions will continue to resonate | ||
| powerfully for years to come; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Robert | ||
| Martinez Jr. on his retirement as international president of the | ||
| International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and | ||
| extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for Mr. Martinez as an expression of high regard by the | ||
| Texas House of Representatives. | ||
| Turner | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 21 was adopted by the House on | ||
| November 1, 2023, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
