The Honorable Melquíades "Mel" Rafael Martínez U.S. Senate (Florida) Orlando, Florida

Melquíades "Mel" Rafael Martínez was sworn in as Florida's thirty-third senator on January 4, 2005. Upon taking office, he became the first Cuban-American to serve in the U.S. Senate. Prior to serving Florida in the U.S. Senate, Martínez served as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George W. Bush.

Mel Martínez has called Florida home since the age of 15. He came to Orlando from his native Sagua la Grande, Cuba as part of "Operation Pedro Pan," a humanitarian program that helped Cuban children escape communist Cuba. Martínez lived with foster families who generously opened their homes to him until he was reunited with his family at age 19. After graduating from Florida State University with his undergraduate and law degrees, Martínez established a successful law practice and became active in many youth, civic, and community organizations in the Orlando area. He now proudly represents the people of Florida as a U.S. senator.

"Who would have thought, when I arrived as a frightened 15-year-old boy that one day I might be serving the president of the United States or would become a senator."

-Senator Mel Martínez