HONORING THE SERVICE OF JUDGE MERCURIO MARTINEZ, JR.

On 2026-10-05, Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE SERVICE OF JUDGE MERCURIO MARTINEZ, JR." in the House.

HONORING THE SERVICE OF JUDGE MERCURIO MARTINEZ, JR.

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1025] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE SERVICE OF JUDGE MERCURIO MARTINEZ, JR. ______ HON. HENRY CUELLAR of texas in the house of representatives Monday, October 5, 2026 Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge Mercurio Martinez, Jr. of Laredo, Texas, on his retirement from the Laredo College Board of Trustees after more than six decades of service to higher education and the Laredo community. Judge Martinez began his career in the classroom. He served as a full-time instructor at Laredo Junior College from 1959 to 1968, returned as a part-time instructor in the spring semesters of 1976 and 1978, and taught Business Administration full time from 1982 until June 1987. Altogether, he gave roughly 15 years to instruction at the institution now known as Laredo College. His service to public education continued on the Laredo Independent School District Board, where he served from June 1973 to March 1977. During part of that time, the LISD Board also governed Laredo Junior College. Judge Martinez was first elected to the Laredo College Board of Trustees in 1988 and served 24 years on that board across multiple terms. As a trustee, he helped strengthen the college's financial footing and its ability to serve students across Webb County. His public service extended well beyond education. He served on the Laredo City Council from 1978 to 1991 and as Webb County Judge from 1991 to 2002, leading one of the largest counties in Texas. Mr. Speaker, few people have shaped a community's schools and colleges as long or as directly as Judge Martinez. On behalf of the 28th District of Texas, I thank him and his family for six decades of service to Laredo, and I wish him the very best in his retirement. ____________________