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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Robert Martinez Jr. is retiring as international |
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president of the International Association of Machinists and |
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Aerospace Workers on January 1, 2024, following more than 43 years |
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of service to one of the nation's largest labor unions; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2016, Bob Martinez became the first Latino |
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international president of a major American labor union, and he |
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capably guided IAM through a turbulent era; during the COVID-19 |
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pandemic, he and his team worked tirelessly to secure such relief as |
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the airline Payroll Support Program and the Aviation Manufacturing |
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Jobs Protection Program, keeping hundreds of thousands of Americans |
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at work and protecting countless families; the union bolstered its |
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financial stability and enjoyed historic membership growth as it |
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expanded into new industries, including health care, technology, |
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architecture, museums, and gig work; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez increased opportunities for |
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underrepresented groups to advance in IAM and launched a women's |
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leadership initiative; in addition, he created innovative programs |
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to assist members and their families, such as 24-hour access to |
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addiction services and free assistance with Veterans |
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Administration claims; and |
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WHEREAS, A third-generation union member, Mr. Martinez |
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joined Local 776A in Fort Worth in 1980, after serving as a |
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U.S. Navy aircraft mechanic and going to work for Lockheed Martin |
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Aeronautics; in 1995, he was appointed to the staff of the IAM |
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Safety and Health Department, and he later oversaw training in 14 |
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states as Southern Territory Education representative; he joined |
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the Executive Council in 2003 and became IAM Headquarters general |
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vice president in 2013; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez has championed domestic manufacturing, |
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especially in the defense sector, as a member of the IAM Executive |
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Council and the U.S. President's Export Council; moreover, he has |
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served as IndustriALL Global Union's aerospace chair, and he has |
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shared his expertise with the executive councils of many other |
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organizations, among them the AFL-CIO, the Labor Council for Latin |
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American Advancement, and the Alliance for Retired Americans; Guide |
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Dogs of America recognized his efforts in its behalf with the Gift |
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of Sight Award, its highest honor; his numerous accolades further |
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include the LCLAA Cesar Chavez Award; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his vision, leadership, and drive to improve |
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the lives of workers and their families, Bob Martinez has |
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significantly advanced the vital mission of the American labor |
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movement, and his contributions will continue to resonate |
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powerfully for years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Robert |
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Martinez Jr. on his retirement as international president of the |
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International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and |
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extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Martinez as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Turner |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 21 was adopted by the House on |
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November 1, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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