Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Henry “Hank” Martinez
Date(s): To Be Determined
Official Street Name(s): Intersection of Ferry Street and Wilson Avenue
Ceremonial Intersection Name: Henry “Hank” Martinez Way
Sponsors: Council Members Luis Quintana and Augusto Amador
Additional Information:
Deferred 7R8-f (as) 042418
body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-e, adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc. for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, long time Newark Councilman Henry “Hank” Martinez, was a consummate public servant, who represented not only Newark’s East Ward community, but also served as a Essex County Freeholder and Vice Chairman and Commissioner of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission for many years; and
WHEREAS, “Hank” as he was affectionately known began his notable career in public service by serving in the U.S. Army overseas before beginning a long and distinguished career in the Newark Police Department, where he retired with the rank of Sergeant and later served as an Essex County Undersheriff; and
WHEREAS, his long and distinguished career in politics began in 1974 when he was elected to the Newark Municipal Council as the representative for the East Ward, culminating in his election as Council President in 1996, in addition to serving as the Chairman of the East Ward Democratic Committee and President of the Hank Martinez Civic Association; and
WHEREAS, “Hank” was a tireless champion for seniors and children concerns and served on numerous civic, charitable, and community organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the Red Shield’s Boys and Girls Club, FOCUS, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, the Ironbound Executives Association and received the Salvation Army’s prestigious “Man of the Year Award” in 1982 and the Ironbound Rotary Award “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” in 1983; and
WHEREAS, Henry “Hank” Martinez, one of Newark’s most respected politicians during his time, was beloved throughout Newark for his sincere honesty, integrity, and unwavering commitment and dedication to the residents of the City of Newark.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council does hereby authorize the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of Ferry Street and Wilson Avenue as Henry “Hank” Martinez Way.
2. The official name of the said streets shall remain Ferry Street and Wilson Avenue in its entirety.
STATEMENT
This resolution hereby authorizes the naming of the intersection of Ferry Street and Wilson Avenue as Henry “Hank” Martinez Way, for honorary and ceremonial purposes.