Mel martinez family
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MARTINEZ, Melquiades R. (Mel)
After fleeing Cuba in 1962 to escape an outbreak of violence in his hometown, Mel Martinez settled in Florida. He served in local government and in President George W. Bush’s Cabinet before being elected the first Cuban American to serve in the U.S. Senate. While staunchly conservative on many issues, he was a moderate voice in support of comprehensive immigration reform. “Bringing people together is my nature,” noted Martinez, the only immigrant among his Senate colleagues. “There is nothing I’d rather do in the United States Senate than work to reach a consensus, build a bridge, seek and maintain common ground.”1
Melquiades R. (Mel) Martinez was born October 23, 1946, in Sagua la Grande, Cuba, to Melquiades and Gladys Ruiz Martinez, who raised their three children in a devout Roman Catholic family. Melquiades, Sr., was a veterinarian.2 In the face of the Castro regime’s increased hostility toward Catholics, Martinez’s parents sent him to the United States in 1962 through Operation Pedro Pan, a program organized by the U.S. government and th
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Melanie Martinez
American singer-songwriter (born 1995)
This article is about the musician. For the actress, see Melanie Martinez (actress).
Melanie Adele Martinez (born April 28, 1995) is an American singer and songwriter. Born in Astoria, Queens, and raised in Baldwin, New York, Martinez rose to fame in 2012 after appearing on season 3 of the American television talent show The Voice. Following the show, she[a] was signed to Atlantic Records and released her debut single "Dollhouse", followed by her debut extended play of the same name (2014).[2]
Martinez later released her debut studio album, Cry Baby (2015), which went on to be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[3] The album amassed numerous commercially successful singles including "Pity Party", "Soap" and "Mrs. Potato Head".[4][5][6] She has since released two follow-up albums: K–12 (2019) and Portals (2023).
Known for her colorful two-toned hair and bangs, Martinez's visual style plays an important p
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Mel Martínez: 1947—: Cabinet Secretary Biography
Mel Martínez: 1947—: Cabinet secretary.
In January of 2001 Mel R. Martínez became the first American of Cuban heritage to hold a Cabinet post. Martínez was named Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by President George W. Bush, an appointment that signaled the emergence of Florida's strongly Republican Cuban-American community as a significant political force. Martínez, a well-liked county executive from Florida, was considered one of the wisest choices among the Bush Administration cabinet nominees. "In one fell swoop," observed Los Angeles Times writer Geraldine Baum, "Bush effectively paid a debt to Cuban Americans who supported him during the postelection debacle in Florida, was able to elevate a Latino with a dramatic immigrant story and succeeded in promoting someone who—although he lacks experience in the public housing arena—has been in the thick of governing the fastest-growing community in the country."
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