Republican Jr Senator (FL); previously Secretary of H.U.D.
A buck an hour is not going to bring someone out of poverty
I believe that the minimum wage increase would be illusory and frankly would not help people. A buck an hour is not going to bring someone out of poverty.
Those people just cannot support a family on those meager wages whether or not another dollar is added to it.
Source: Florida Senate Debate, in St. Petersburg Times
Oct 19, 2004
HUD worked through religious organizations
As Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, I was in charge of housing assistance for low-income families.
I was proud to support these programs as well as direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based and other non-profit organizations.
Source: 2004 Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Oct 14, 2004
Led an initiative to help minorities to buy homes
As HUD Secretary, I led an initiative to make it easier for more minority families to buy homes. Under my leadership, for the first time ever, a majority of minority households in the nation are now homeowners.
Source: Campaign website, melforsenate.org
Mar 24, 2004
More spending on homeownership & mutifamily loans
In this administration’s first 100 days, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez kept his promise to focus on home ownership while also bringing sound management to the agency. “During my confirmation hearing,
I outlined my plans to promote home ownership and to make HUD work better for our communities,” said Martinez. “I am confident our track record over the past 100 days reflects our sincere commitment to do just that.”
In only a little over 3 months, Martinez proposed a 6.8% budget increase that will expand homeownership opportunities and for the first time in nine years, he raised multifamily loan limits by 25%, to spur construction.
Martinez has also been extremely
responsive to the nation’s immediate needs, earmarking $105 million to help pay skyrocketing utility bills for public housing residents and expediting federal assistance to communities in Washington State following the devastating earthquake in March.
Source: Press Release
Apr 27, 2001
Supports faith-based charities based on personal history
HUD Secretary Mel Martinez today joined President Bush in honoring Catholic organizations for their work in helping low-income families, the homeless, the elderly and people living with AIDS. Today’s ceremony is part of President Bush’s effort to expand
support for faith-based groups around the country.
Secretary Martinez’s personal involvement in Catholic faith-based social service agencies began nearly 40 years ago, when the Miami Catholic Welfare Bureau helped [arrange a foster home and his
immigration from Cuba to America]. “Had it not been for the work of Catholic charities, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Secretary Martinez. “Kind-hearted people welcomed me to this country, gave me a home and helped me begin my own American dream.”
“I know from personal experience what faith-based groups can do,” said Martinez. “President Bush is right to reach out to the faith community who have an established track record doing the kind of work that changes lives.”
Source: HUD press release, “Faith-Based”
Jan 31, 2001
