H.R. No. 253
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ communities across the state have greatly
benefited from the dedicated efforts of Ricardo Martinez, who
currently serves as chief executive officer of Equality Texas; and
WHEREAS, A native of Mexico, Mr. Martinez became the first
Latinx man to lead Equality Texas in 2019, and he has since worked
tirelessly to advance the organization's mission of ending
discrimination against LGBTQIA+ communities; in performing his
duties as chief executive officer, he has drawn on a wealth of
experience with nonprofit fundraising, organizing, advocacy, and
leadership; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining Equality Texas, Mr. Martinez
helped countless students through his work with PENCIL and Summer
Search; he went on to become senior manager of field services at
GLSEN before being named president of the organization's chapter in
Phoenix, Arizona; in that role, he contributed significantly to a
movement that resulted in the repeal of an Arizona law prohibiting
LGBTQIA+ representation, content, and history in school
curriculum; he further distinguished himself as national director
for constituent engagement at Stand for Children; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez has been honored for his leadership in
the LGBTQIA+ community by the Barack Obama administration, and he
was awarded a 40 Under Forty award from Stony Brook University in
2019; he holds a bachelor's degree in political science and history
from Stony Brook and a master's degree in nonprofit management from
the New School; and
WHEREAS, Ricardo Martinez has demonstrated a deep commitment
to building a better future for LGBTQIA+ communities in Texas and
beyond, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his many noteworthy
accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend Ricardo Martinez
for his service to LGBTQIA+ communities and extend to him sincere
best wishes for continued success in his important work; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Martinez as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
González of El Paso
González of Dallas
Zwiener
Johnson of Dallas
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 253 was adopted by the House on
October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House