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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HENRY “HANK” MARTINEZ AS A DEVOTED HUSBAND, FATHER AND GRANDFATHER AND HIS ADVOCACY AND SERVICE ON BEHALF OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY AS A COMMUNITY LEADER
WHEREAS, Henry “Hank” Martinez was born on July 15, 1932 to the late Rafael & Josephine Martinez in Chicago to parents who came from Guanajuato, Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez is survived by his wife of 38 years, Linda (nee Rico); two daughters: Alison Itzel Martinez and Kristal Fatima Martinez; one month old grandson: Henry Nathan Figueroa; and five siblings: Michael Martinez, Rafael Martinez, Constance Perez, Nadien Guerin, and Judith Rodriguez; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez was a graduate of Roosevelt University, the University of Chicago, and received a Master’s Degree in Juvenile Justice from Chicago State University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez dedicated his life to providing guidance for youth and to empower Latino communities and became a larger than life figure in the Southeast Chicago Region; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez’s life was marked by sacrifice and service, commitment and struggle, and he leaves a legacy of advocacy and institution building on behalf of the Latino community and specifically Latino youth and veterans; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez has played various roles, among them: community organizer, youth advocate, state worker, consultant, journalist, social worker, executive director, Latino community leader, and devoted husband, father and grandfather; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez was the Founder and Executive Director of the Mexican Community Committee (MCC), established to reduce crime and gang activity, the first entity of its kind in the Southeast community of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez was the Founder and Director of the Latino Resource Institute of Illinois, which also houses an Illinois Welcoming Center and Family Advocacy Center; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez served as Senior Supervisor at the Chicago Area Project (CAP), which addresses juvenile delinquency in some of the poorest communities of the city; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez launched the First Latino Community College Program, “Proyecto Venceremos”, in Southeast Chicago, which was later adopted by the City Colleges of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez also served as a member of Gov. Ogilvie’s Spanish Speaking Peoples Study Commission in the early 1970s, one of the first Latino Commissions in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez became the visionary force behind the creation of the Illinois Latino Family Commission, becoming chairman in 2010 and leading the efforts to fight for Latino equality and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez was a Korean War Veteran, who honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. He made it his mission to ensure Latino Veterans had a voice and access to well-deserved supports. He founded the Latino Veterans Committee of the Illinois Latino Family Commission to provide a forum to connect Latino Veterans throughout the State to resources and to each other. He led the efforts to establish a Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in South Chicago that stands as a testament today of his commitment to fellow veterans; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez was an active member of the American G.I. Forum, and numerous boards, councils, and commissions throughout his many years of service and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, until his last days Mr. Martinez’s resolve to fight for the Latino community was matched only by his big heart and his continued resolve to serve as an advocate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners commemorates the life and legacy of Henry “Hank” Martinez.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Henry “Hank” Martinez.
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