Matthew Gilbert Martínez

A Representative from California; born in Walsenberg, Huerfano County, Colo., February 14, 1929; received certificate of competence, Los Angeles Trade Technical School, Los Angeles, Calif., 1956; United States Marine Corps, 1947-1950; small businessman; building contractor; Monterey Park, Calif., Planning Committee, 1971-1974; elected to the Monterey Park, Calif., City Council, 1974-1980; mayor of Monterey Park, Calif., 1974 and 1980; member of the California state assembly, 1980-1982; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-seventh Congress by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative George E. Danielson; reelected to the nine succeeding Congresses (July 13, 1982-January 3, 2001); changed from a Democratic to a Republican on July 27, 2000; was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the One Hundred Seventh Congress.