Senate Proceeding 06-23-09 on Jun 23rd, 2009 :: 0:19:45 to 0:24:30
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0:19:42 to 0:20:03( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: america and ultimately save both lives and money. thank you very much, mr. president. i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the mr. martinez: i ask to be permitted to speak in morning business for t minutes. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. martinez: mr. president it gives me good pleasure and honor as an individual who

0:19:45 to 0:24:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Mel Martinez

0:20:04 to 0:20:24( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: rsuit of free cuba and a better america, colonel radio moan marking an accomplished military leader, entrepreneur. cuba was it native home he made our nation a bitter place during

0:20:25 to 0:20:45( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: the years he lived in exile. he was born in cuba on may 1914. at able 19, he joined the cuban army and served his country and graduated from the cuban military academy in 1941. during his years of military service, he attended various

0:20:46 to 0:21:06( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: u.s. army schools in the united states. following a distinguished career in the military, he passion in military education. in the classroom, he worked to instill a culture of civic awareness within the military's ranks and found the cuban national war colge and eventually was promoted to the director of cuba's military schools.

0:21:07 to 0:21:30( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: following his career in cuban military education, he was appointed as cuba's military attache to the united states and delegate to the defense board whe he was selected vice chair and developed a plan for a joint defense of the western hemisphere. for his w

0:21:31 to 0:21:52( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: was honored in 1955 with grade of commander. he learned the shifting political winds in cuba and conspired to prevent freedom from losing its foothold in his native land. i can rember as a young boy in cuba living through tumultuous times and my father remark, that

0:21:53 to 0:22:15( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: in this colonel cuba had its best home for democracy. his concerns led him to participate in a failed military and later to actively work against regime. he asked him to serve as defense minister. concern with the repressive nature, the colonel refused and,

0:22:16 to 0:22:39( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: instead, chose to serve in ambassadorial post in europe and as a result of that he was able to flee to the united states and begin a new life now in exile. after briefly living in miami, he rekindled his passion for education by establishing a consortium of educational institutions in puerto rico.

0:22:40 to 0:23:01( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: they include a k-12 school, and summer camps, university, atlantic college and an institute for civic education. he was recog work and entrepreneurship by puerto rican government as the 1995 educator of the year. gots of the k-12 academy he

0:23:02 to 0:23:22( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: founded had kind words of appreciation for his work and character. according to one student, -- and i quote -- "from colonel i learned to love my country and he taught me the values that lead my life today." as a cuban american, floridian and senator it gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to the co

0:23:23 to 0:23:43( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: his commitment to freedom and democracy, his generosity and zeal for serving others, is and will surely be missed. i also know that probably one of the proud of the accomplishments was a wonderful family. i'm privileged to know his son, ramone, who carries his name and some of his grandchildren. and i know that is, without a

0:23:44 to 0:24:04( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: doubt, what i'm sure he feels was his greatest legacy while he lived noon us. i know history would have been very opportunity to follow through on some of resolution some of his hopes. in any event, i thank you for the floor and i now yield the floor

0:24:05 to 0:24:14( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll.