Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-09-15

HONORING THE CAREER OF DR. GILDA Y. MARTINEZ

ImmigrationEnvironmentForeign PolicyEducation

Context

On 2026-09-15, Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE CAREER OF DR. GILDA Y. MARTINEZ" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING THE CAREER OF DR. GILDA Y. MARTINEZ

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E920] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CAREER OF DR. GILDA Y. MARTINEZ ______ HON. HENRY CUELLAR of texas in the house of representatives Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career and dedication to education of Dr. Gilda Y. Martinez, Assistant Professor of Bilingual Education at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. A native of Laredo and a proud graduate of TAMIU, Dr. Martinez has dedicated her career to advancing bilingual education and creating opportunities for bilingual students, educators, and communities. She began her career as a bilingual educator in Laredo and has since served as a dual-language teacher, bilingual education administrator, consultant, and university professor. Today, Dr. Martinez prepares and mentors the next generation of bilingual educators and serves as Coordinator of TAMIU's Master of Science in Bilingual Education program. Her scholarship focuses on bilingual and dual-language education, with particular attention to culturally and linguistically responsive practices in South Texas and our U.S.-Mexico border communities. In 2020, Dr. Martinez founded the Unidos Para Texas Bilingual Education Conference, bringing educators, school leaders, researchers, and community partners together to strengthen bilingual education. The conference now serves hundreds of educators and provides scholarships for educators pursuing graduate studies. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Martinez commitment to education and our community reflects the very best of South Texas. I thank her for her service and congratulate her on her continued leadership in advancing bilingual education for future generations. ____________________

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HONORING THE CAREER OF DR. GILDA Y. MARTINEZ Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E920] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CAREER OF DR. GILDA Y. MARTINEZ ______ HON. HENRY CUELLAR of texas in the house of representatives Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career and dedication to education of Dr. Gilda Y. Martinez, Assistant Professor of Bilingual Education at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. A native of Laredo and a proud graduate of TAMIU, Dr. Martinez has dedicated her career to advancing bilingual education and creating opportunities for bilingual students, educators, and communities. She began her career as a bilingual educator in Laredo and has since served as a dual-language teacher, bilingual education administrator, consultant, and university professor. Today, Dr. Martinez prepares and mentors the next generation of bilingual educators and serves as Coordinator of TAMIU's Master of Science in Bilingual Education program. Her scholarship focuses on bilingual and dual-language education, with particular attention to culturally and linguistically responsive practices in South Texas and our U.S.-Mexico border communities. In 2020, Dr. Martinez founded the Unidos Para Texas Bilingual Education Conference, bringing educators, school leaders, researchers, and community partners together to strengthen bilingual education. The conference now serves hundreds of educators and provides scholarships for educators pursuing graduate studies. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Martinez commitment to education and our community reflects the very best of South Texas. I thank her for her service and congratulate her on her continued leadership in advancing bilingual education for future generations. ____________________