The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF MR. BENITO ANTONIO MARTINEZ OCASIO
______
HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, February 11, 2022
Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio.
Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio was born on March 10, 1994, in Almirante Sur, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Mr. Martinez Ocasio wanted to be a singer since he was five years old and pursued the studied audiovisual communication at the University of Puerto Rico at Recinto de Arecibo before leaving the program to pursue his music career.
A native of Puerto Rico, Martinez Ocasio, has been a great force in the rise of the island's popular reggaeton music. His parents Lysaurie Ocasio Declet and Tito Martinez and family inspired his music aspirations. His mother Lysaurie encouraged Martinez Ocasio into music at a young age in his church choir.
Benito's family instilled in him the belief that life is not measured by the amount of money or trophies a person has but rather the challenges overcome and an appreciation for life.
Mr. Martinez Ocasio is actively involved in the betterment of his community, Los Angeles County, and in neighborhoods across our great nation including his hometown of Almirante Sur, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. He has been recognized by countless local leaders in Los Angeles County and throughout California for his tremendous support to the community and dedication to assisting those in need.
In 2018, Martinez Ocasio was vacationing in Puerto Rico when he decided to make a generous donation of $100,000 to the nonprofit organization SER of Puerto Rico. The donation supported children with autism and muscular disabilities who require rehabilitation. At the end of a telethon that he participated in, SER received $1.7 million in donations. Martinez Ocasio has been a role model for disability communities and is working to ensure that one day the cure for autism is found. One in thirty five children born today will have Autism, but people like Mr. Martinez Ocasio have given hope to millions in the fight to find the cure one day.
Martinez Ocasio has not forgotten his humble roots and the neighborhood that had a profound impact on his upbringing and has given back his time and resources to his community. In one instance, Martinez Ocasio helped a 13-year-old Cayman Islands boy who was residing in a hospital and in need of thousands of dollars to cover his medical expenses including a needed heart transplant surgery. When the boy's story caught his attention, Martinez Ocasio brought public awareness to the boy's critical need for an expensive surgery and called on other artists as well as ordinary people to donate any amount they could afford. Together they successfully raised the necessary resources for the boy's surgery.
Martinez Ocasio has led the way in helping others in California in the City and County of Los Angeles, focusing on assisting Angelenos with developmental disabilities. He has established himself as a leader and a charitable American utilizing his talents to create unique opportunities for all ages to thrive and impact the world.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio and applauding his contributions and philanthropic endeavors.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 28
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