80+ Maryland leaders Urge for the Appointment of Maria Martinez to the Maryland Stadium Authority Commission

March 21, 2023, Maryland – Over 80 Maryland leaders, including prominent public officials, business leaders, organizational leaders, Latinos prominent in media and communications, and other Latino leaders have issued a letter of support calling on the Senate’s Executive Nominations Committee to appoint Maria Martinez to the Maryland Stadium Authority Commission. Signors include Latino, African-American, and white leaders concerned about under-representation of Latinos in government and include public officials like former Governor Martin O’Malley, business leaders like Shelonda Stokes, President of the Downtown Partnership and Angela Franco, CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce, union leaders like Jaime Contreras of SEIU32BJ and Glen Middleton of AFSCME Council 67, and leaders from organizations and media including Gustavo Torres of CASA and Anthony McCarthy, former editor of the AFRO.

“Ms. Martinez’s unparalleled experience and dedication to public service make her an outstanding candidate for this important position,” the Latino leaders said in the letter. “She has spent the past quarter-century building a successful career in business and government and has established herself as a respected community leader and philanthropist. Her commitment to public service is unwavering, and she has made it her life’s mission to open doors for women and minority communities.”

With concerns of a lack of Latino representation in Maryland state government, this letter of support urges the Committee to appoint Maria Martinez, a longtime committed Latina business leader with extensive philanthropic and public service ties.

“We believe that until the most important commissions include Latinos among their membership, Maryland is failing in its responsibility to adequately include 11.1% of the State’s population and a community overrepresented in business new starts. Maria is a woman who has earned her place in our hearts and the person we are asking you to confirm to the Maryland Stadium Commission without delay,” closes the letter.

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