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