RECOMMEND PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM AWARD TO CARLOS MARTINEZ RESOLUTION

The American GI Forum of the United States, a Hispanic Veterans Organization, founded March 26, 1948 and Federally Chartered by Congress March 26, 1998 is honored to submit this Resolution, requesting that Mr. Carlos Martinez, President and CEO of the American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program (NVOP) be considered as a nominee for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

WHEREAS:  The American GI Forum (AGIF) founded in 1948 to advocate for Veterans who’s benefits were being denied, and

WHEREAS:  The American GI Forum, a Patriotic Family Veterans organization has stood fast with other veteran organizations in assuring that veterans receive the benefits which they are entitled to, and

WHEREAS:  1972 the American GI Forum received a Department of Labor (DOL) federal grant to initiate a pilot program to help veterans in selected cities across the United States, and

WHEREAS:  The DOL federal grant to the American GI Form were discontinued in 1974, and

WHEREAS:  Under the leadership of Carlos Martinez, who has been associated with the NVOP since its founding in 1972, continued efforts to acquire National, State and Private grants to continue operation of the NVOP, and

WHEREAS:  Considering the significance of the NVOP, in 1978 the American GI Forum Board of Directors appointed Carlos Martinez to Chief Executive Officer of the NVOP, and

WHEREAS:  Mr. Martinez’s vision and creative management skills, has developed the NVOP into one of Americas leading veteran service organizations, addressing the employment needs of veterans, and

WHEREAS:  The NVOP has served over 450,000 veterans and is now composed of seven interlocking corporations providing veterans services including, affordable housing for the elderly, economic development projects to create jobs, an array of social service programs, and housing for homeless veterans, and

WHEREAS:  Mr. Martinez service to Veterans expands beyond the American GI Forum NVOP by reaching out and helping other similar organizations by providing technical assistance, and

WHEREAS:  Mr. Martinez experience of 45 years with community based initiatives earned him a unique perspective that has attracted and demanded national attention.  He currently serves on the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, and the Advisory Committee on Veterans Readjustment.  He has served on the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans Employment and training advisory Committee, the Women Veterans Advisory Committee, and the State of Texas Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee on the State veterans Homes.  He has testified before Congressional Committees and has had the opportunity to discuss major veteran issues with the last six presidents, and

WHEREAS:  Mr. Martinez, a native of San Antonio, Texas is a graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University with a BA in Management and a Masters in Business Administration.  Mr. Martinez is a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served four years during the Vietnam era, and

WHEREAS:  Due to Mr. Martinez life-long commitment and dedication to helping veterans and has overseen the assistance of over 450,000 veterans and family members since 1972, and continues to serve and assist veterans and their families, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED:  That the American GI Forum of the United States, hereby, submits the name of Carlos Martinez to be nominated to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:  That the American GI Forum of the United States and all its affiliates use all of its resources to reach out to other Veteran Organizations, CBO’s, corporate, government and educational partners and associates to support this distinguished award.

This resolution was adopted at the Annual American GI Forum National Conference in Albuquerque, NM which convened on July 20-22, 2017.