Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Files Legislation to Honor Veteran and Community Leader Benny C. Martinez

WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29) filed legislation (H.R. 7832) to rename the post office located at post at 4020 Broadway St. Houston, TX 77087 to honor the late veteran and community leader, Benny C. Martinez.

Martinez was most famous for his collaboration with fellow members of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to organize a gala for President John F. Kennedy during the President's 1963 trip to Texas. Historians credit this meeting as the first time a sitting U.S. President met with a Latino civil rights group.

A native of Goliad, Texas, Benny's father eventually moved the Martinez family to Houston when he was a child. At the age of 18, Mr. Martinez was inducted into the U.S. Army. He first went to Boot Camp in El Paso, Texas. Afterward, he was sent to Supply Handling School in Fort Lee, Virginia. After completing this training, he served in Korea.

In 1958, he was discharged from active duty at the U.S. Army Personnel Center and then transferred to the Army Reserves at Fort Hood, Texas, where he worked as a Medic until his final discharge on September 4, 1962. After his honorable service, he returned to Houston and quickly re-engaged with his local community.

He went on to graduate from Houston Community College as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). He later obtained a Bachelor of General Studies Degree from the University of Houston Downtown College. Martinez put his education degree to use and worked as an associate teacher in the Houston Independent School District

In his later years, Martinez raised money for scholarships for students and worked diligently to erect a Tejano monument to celebrate the accomplishments of Hispanic Texans.

He was a member and an active participant in many civic engagement organizations throughout his lifetime including the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), the American GI Forum, the American Legion, LULAC, and the Knights of Columbus. He was also an honorary member of the Goliad Rotary Club. He was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross and served as a church usher and a court bailiff.

Mr. Martinez passed away in December 2019 at the age of 85.

Statement from Congresswoman Garcia:

"A Korean War veteran, a nurse, an educator, and a relentless leader for the civil rights of Hispanic Americans, I am proud to file this bipartisan bill to celebrate Mr. Martinez's legacy, along with my colleagues in the Texas Congressional delegation. After his lifetime of advocacy, service, and community engagement, it is my privilege to recognize Mr. Martinez's accomplishments by seeking to rename this post office in my district, in his honor," said Congresswoman Garcia.

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees