HLS 25RS-1039 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 13
BY REPRESENTATIVE MENA
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of Aurelio Martínez
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Aurelio
3 Martínez.
4 WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
5Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of the tragic and untimely
6passing, on March 17, 2025, of Aurelio Martínez; and
7 WHEREAS, Born in Honduras in 1969, Aurelio Martínez grew up in a small
8Carribean village named Plapaya; he found inspiration in his father, who was a well-known
9local troubadour who improvised Paranda songs containing Garifuna roots rhythms and
10Latin sounds, and he learned to sing from his vocally-gifted mother; he was a brilliant
11drummer, following the influence of his uncles and grandfather; by the age of fourteen,
12Aurelio was a respected musician with a strong foundation in Garifuna rhythms, rituals, and
13songs; and
14 WHEREAS, the Garifuna are people of Amerindian and West African descent who
15originally lived on the island of St. Vincent in the Carribean; after being deported by the
16British government in 1796, the Garifuna landed on the island of Roatán in the Bay Islands
17of Honduras; the Garifuna now live in communities along the coasts of Belize, Guatemala,
18Honduras, and Nicaragua; and
19 WHEREAS, Aurelio was an incredibly talented singer and songwriter who was
20known for his Garifuna music and considered a cultural ambassador of the Garifuna people;
21he was a genuine guardian of Garifuna heritage whose music bridged generations and served
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HR NO. 13
1as a symbol of cultural resilience; he was a master of the guitar and his unmistakable voice
2brought Garifuna music to the world's most prestigious stages; he was the first Honduran
3musician to perform for the NPR Music Tiny Desk series; and
4 WHEREAS, Aurelio was an incredibly civic-minded individual whose impact
5extended beyond music; in 2005, he became the first Afro-Honduran elected to serve in the
6National Congress of Honduras, and he advocated for the rights and visibility of the
7Garifuna people; he earned a place in the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, where
8he worked alongside Youssou N'Dour; in 2022, he was recognized as a Mellon Fellow at
9New York University; and
10 WHEREAS, Aurelio was a passionate advocate of the Garifuna people and culture,
11and he toured the world sharing Garifuna music with audiences who were captivated by his
12passionate authenticity; although his tragic departure will leave a void, he preserved his soul
13in his music, and the legacy of his love for the Garifuna people shall live on in perpetuity in
14the melodies of his songs.
15 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
16Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of Aurelio
17Martínez and does hereby extend sincerest wishes that his family, friends, and loved ones
18find comfort in their shared memories of his beautiful life.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 13 Original 2025 Regular Session Mena
Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of Aurelio Martínez.
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