81R7809 SKA-D
By: Gallego H.R. No. 600
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Del Rio lost a visionary physician and
a treasured member of the community with the passing of Dr. Manuel
Adrian Martinez, Jr., on August 29, 2008, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, A native of Del Rio, Manuel Martinez was born to
Manuel and Concepcion Martinez on July 22, 1931; he graduated from
Sacred Heart Academy in 1951 as valedictorian of his class and
answered his nation's call to duty by serving in the U.S. Army from
1953 to 1955; and
WHEREAS, Following his military service, Dr. Martinez
attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio on a full academic
scholarship; he went on to earn his medical degree at the Autonomous
University of Nuevo Leon in Mexico and became licensed as a general
practitioner, surgeon, and OB/GYN before returning to Del Rio to
open his practice; over the course of his distinguished career, he
delivered more than 12,000 babies, some 2,500 of which were born in
Dr. Martinez's own birthing clinic; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed physician became a leading figure in
area health initiatives, serving as a medical director for Del Rio,
Val Verde County, and the state health department; he played a
pivotal role in the 1980 creation of the Amistad Binational Health
Council, a local chapter of the U.S.-Mexico Border Health
Association, and he served as its first copresident; even after he
retired from his regular practice, he continued to assist in the
county's medical endeavors; in recognition of his multitude of
contributions to Del Rio and its surrounding communities, the
Amistad Binational Health Council established Dr. Manuel A.
Martinez Binational Health Week in his honor; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Dr. Martinez enjoyed the
love and support of his wife, the former Blanca Estella Garza; the
couple were blessed with four children, Blanca, Evette Michelle,
Manuel, and Lina, and had the pleasure of welcoming eight
grandchildren into their family; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Manuel Martinez was a skilled and caring doctor
who devoted his professional life to assisting his fellow citizens,
and his exceptional career will continue to serve as an inspiration
to aspiring physicians and community leaders alike; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Manuel Adrian
Martinez, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Blanca Estella Garza Martinez; to his
children, Blanca Mollai and her husband, Saeid, Michelle O'Donnell
and her husband, Brian, Manuel Adrian Martinez III and his wife,
Lisa, and Lina Ramon and her husband, Martin; to his grandchildren,
Ariana, Catalina, and Isabella Mollai, Sky, Brandon, and Hudson
O'Donnell, Alaina Martinez, and Idol Ramon; to his siblings,
Consuelo Paredes and Robert, Odilia, and Ricardo Martinez; and to
his other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns on this day, it do so in memory of Dr.
Manuel Adrian Martinez, Jr.