Melquíades Rafael Martínez Ruiz

Melquiades Rafael "Mel" Martinez is an American politician born in Cuba in the city of Sagua la Grande Villaclara.

He emigrated to the United States in 1962, at age 16, in Operation Peter Pan and lived with foster families until he reunited with his Cuban family in Orlando, Florida, in 1966.

He graduated from the College of Law at Florida State University in 1973 and practiced law in Orlando, Florida, for twenty-five years.

Republican Senator for the State of Florida and Chairman of the Republican Party. Martinez was the 12th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the administration of President George W. Bush in the period 2001-2005.

Elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate in 2004 and served from January 3, 2005, until his resignation on September 9, 2009.