1-1                                     1
 1-2                         SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1121
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Texas Senate takes pride in recognizing
 1-4     Chief Oscar Martinez, United States Navy, Retired, on his
 1-5     retirement from Socorro High School on June 30, 1999; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, A native of El Paso, Chief Martinez has said that
 1-7     his life really began when he entered the United States Navy on
 1-8     March 29, 1957; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, After completing basic training in California
1-10     and submarine school in Connecticut, he was assigned to his first
1-11     submarine in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he completed his high
1-12     school education and was honorably discharged as a Radioman Second
1-13     Class on June 27, 1961; and
1-14           WHEREAS, On August 18, 1964, he rejoined the United States
1-15     Navy and kept his radioman rating since it was essential for duty
1-16     in a submarine; and
1-17           WHEREAS, His first assignment was the USS Sea Fox, which
1-18     was homeported in San Diego, and his last assignment was in 1976
1-19     when he reported for duty to the Recruiting Command in El Paso; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Chief Martinez has been awarded the National Defense
 2-1     Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation,
 2-2     and Navy Achievement Medal; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, Promoted to Senior Chief in May, 1980, Chief Martinez
 2-4     chose not to extend his tour of duty and retired from the service
 2-5     after more than 20 years of superlative service; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, On the same day he retired, he was hired at Socorro
 2-7     High School as an Associate Naval Science Instructor, and he
 2-8     enrolled in college to begin his higher education; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, Dedicated to his goal, Oscar Martinez finished his
2-10     college degree in four years while attending classes full-time
2-11     after work; he graduated in May, 1984, with a bachelor of science
2-12     degree, cum laude, in business management; and
2-13           WHEREAS, An educator with genuine regard for his young
2-14     charges, Chief Martinez has worked with thousands of young people;
2-15     his students have benefitted immeasureably from this caring spirit
2-16     who has given generously of his time and talent; and
2-17           WHEREAS, Since Chief Martinez has been teaching, the
2-18     Socorro High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
2-19     Unit has been in the top one percent in the nation for the past
2-20     11 consecutive years; in 1995, the unit was the number one unit in
2-21     the nation, out of a field of 435; and
2-22           WHEREAS, While at Socorro High School, Chief Martinez
2-23     has garnered several commendations, including Teacher of the
 3-1     Month, Certificates of Recognition, and certificates from the
 3-2     Governor of Texas; and
 3-3           WHEREAS, When Chief Martinez encounters his former students
 3-4     today, he is quite pleased because they tell him how grateful they
 3-5     are for all the advice and comfort he gave them during high school;
 3-6     this brings him great satisfaction; now, therefore, be it
 3-7           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 3-8     76th Legislature, hereby congratulate Chief Oscar Martinez on his
 3-9     retirement and wish him well in the future; and, be it further
3-10           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-11     him as an expression of the highest regard and esteem of the
3-12     Texas Senate.
3-13                                                               Shapleigh
3-14                                  ______________________________________
3-15                                          President of the Senate
3-16                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-17                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-18                                  on May 26, 1999.
3-19                                  ______________________________________
3-20                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-21                                  ______________________________________
3-22                                           Member, Texas Senate