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He was born in Cuba in 1947. At the age of 15, he and his brother were evacuated from Cuba with other children during Operation Pedro Pan (Peter Pan). Operation Pedro Pan was an operation organized by the Catholic Church and supported by the U.S. government that flew over 14,000 children from Cuba to the United States before the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 ended all travel. His parents made the decision to send them to the United States after such hair-raising events as seeing others shout chants like "kill them, they're Catholic" at the children.
With his parents still in Cuba and knowing very little English, Mel and his little brother first started life in the United States at Camp Matecumbe followed by another military Camp in Jacksonville, Florida. In Orlando, Walter and Eileen Young took them into their home for two years. Jim and June Berkmeyer would adopt them in for two years after that.
Finally, during the "Freedom Flights" in 1966, the Martinez parents were reunited with their children in the United States. Mel graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 1973 and has been active participant in the community. He took a public stance during the Elian Gonzalez conflict, asserting that Elian Gonzalez should be given the chance to remain in the United States. He was elected Orange County Chairman in 1998, where he currently serves until he takes his place at HUD. He served as Chairman of Governor Jeb Bush's Growth Management Study Commission as well as Chairman of the Board of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and on the Orlando/Orange County Expressway Authority. This year, he also had the opportunity to serve Florida as elector in the Electoral College, casting one of the official votes for George. W. Bush in the 2000 elections.
Education
- Florida State University Law School - J.D., 1973
- Florida State University - B.A., 1969
- Orlando Junior College - A.A., 1967
- Bishop Moore High School - 1964
- Board of Directors, United American Bank
- Chairman, The Alliance
- President, Orlando Utilities Commission
- Board of Trustees, United Arts
- Chairman, Orlando Housing Authority
- Vice President, Catholic Social Services
- Coach, Delaney Park Little League
- Camp Counselor, Camp WEWA
Elsewhere on the Web:
Mel Martinez for Senator
His campaign site for the Florida election.Housing and Urban Development
Official Site of HUD.