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.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-11-02 - Reported enrolled [HR21 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR21-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 21 |
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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 | ||