Víctor Hipólito Martínez
Encyclopedia
Víctor Hipólito Martínez (born November 21, 1924) is an Argentine lawyer and politician, best known for his role as Vice President during Raúl Alfonsín
's 1983-89 tenure.
. He enrolled in the National University of Córdoba, received a law degree in 1948 and in 1955, he participated in a Southern Methodist University
conference on fossil fuel
policy. He began teaching land law at his alma mater in 1956 and earning a juris doctor
, in 1957. Active in the centrist Radical Civic Union
(UCR), Martínez entered politics and was elected to the Provincial Senate, in 1962. He was elected Mayor of Córdoba in 1963 and remained in the post until a coup d'état removed President Arturo Illia (a fellow UCR figure), in 1966.
Martínez returned to academia and edited Los Principios, a local newsdaily, from 1970 to 1972. During new elections in 1973, he ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Córdoba Province
. Continuing to teach at the university, he served on government advisory panels on the local, provincial, and national levels on the subject of land law. He established the Argentine Society of Natural Resource Law and Management and was named Dean of the Land Law Department at the University of Córdoba, in 1979.
Following seven years of a failed military dictatorship
, elections
were called for October 1983. The UCR, which held its convention in July of that year, nominated a center-left former Congressman and human rights lawyer, Raúl Alfonsín, for President and Martínez (who, as a somewhat more conservative figure, would help balance the ticket) for Vice President. Following weeks of tied polling with the Justicialist Party
, the UCR won the elections by 12%, and Martínez was elected Vice President.
Sworn in on December 10, Martínez's role as President of the Argentine Senate
became critical given the Justicialists' advantage of 21 Senators to the UCR's 18. He was unable, however, to prevent their defeat of Alfonsín's Labor Union Reform Law of 1984 or of the proposed, 1987 transfer of the nation's capital to Viedma (both, key issues to the President). Martínez made numerous dipomatic visits abroad as Vice President. He was designated Honorary Citizen of California
by Governor George Deukmejian
, in 1985, and was made an Honorary Member of the Inter-American Bar Association, in 1986. Ultimately, however, a sharp currency crisis and sudden rioting
forced Alfonsín to advance the planned, December 1989 inaugural of his successor, Carlos Menem
, by five months, and Martínez tendered his resignation on June 30 (effective Alfonsín's July 8 handover).
He resumed his land law practice afterwards and received numerous international awards, including the Grand Cross of the Crown of Italy. Martínez was given the place of honor during the memorial service to President Raúl Alfonsin
, who died on March 31, 2009. A niece of his, Pilar Nores Bodereau
, married Alan García (who would twice be elected President of Perú
), in 1978.
Raúl Alfonsín
Raúl Ricardo Alfonsín was an Argentine lawyer, politician and statesman, who served as the President of Argentina from December 10, 1983, to July 8, 1989. Alfonsín was the first democratically-elected president of Argentina following the military government known as the National Reorganization...
's 1983-89 tenure.
Life and times
Martínez was born and raised in Córdoba, ArgentinaCórdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
. He enrolled in the National University of Córdoba, received a law degree in 1948 and in 1955, he participated in a Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
conference on fossil fuel
Fossil fuel
Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years...
policy. He began teaching land law at his alma mater in 1956 and earning a juris doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
, in 1957. Active in the centrist Radical Civic Union
Radical Civic Union
The Radical Civic Union is a political party in Argentina. The party's positions on issues range from liberal to social democratic. The UCR is a member of the Socialist International. Founded in 1891 by radical liberals, it is the oldest political party active in Argentina...
(UCR), Martínez entered politics and was elected to the Provincial Senate, in 1962. He was elected Mayor of Córdoba in 1963 and remained in the post until a coup d'état removed President Arturo Illia (a fellow UCR figure), in 1966.
Martínez returned to academia and edited Los Principios, a local newsdaily, from 1970 to 1972. During new elections in 1973, he ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Córdoba Province
Córdoba Province (Argentina)
Córdoba is a province of Argentina, located in the center of the country. Neighboring provinces are : Santiago del Estero, Santa Fe, Buenos Aires, La Pampa, San Luis, La Rioja and Catamarca...
. Continuing to teach at the university, he served on government advisory panels on the local, provincial, and national levels on the subject of land law. He established the Argentine Society of Natural Resource Law and Management and was named Dean of the Land Law Department at the University of Córdoba, in 1979.
Following seven years of a failed military dictatorship
National Reorganization Process
The National Reorganization Process was the name used by its leaders for the military government that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983. In Argentina it is often known simply as la última junta militar or la última dictadura , because several of them existed throughout its history.The Argentine...
, elections
Argentine general election, 1983
The Argentine general election of 1983 was held on 30 October and marked the return of Democracy after the 1976's dictatorship self-known as National Reorganization Process...
were called for October 1983. The UCR, which held its convention in July of that year, nominated a center-left former Congressman and human rights lawyer, Raúl Alfonsín, for President and Martínez (who, as a somewhat more conservative figure, would help balance the ticket) for Vice President. Following weeks of tied polling with the Justicialist Party
Justicialist Party
The Justicialist Party , or PJ, is a Peronist political party in Argentina, and the largest component of the Peronist movement.The party was led by Néstor Kirchner, President of Argentina from 2003 to 2007, until his death on October 27, 2010. The current Argentine president, Cristina Fernández de...
, the UCR won the elections by 12%, and Martínez was elected Vice President.
Sworn in on December 10, Martínez's role as President of the Argentine Senate
Argentine Senate
The Argentine Senate is the upper house of the Argentine National Congress. It has 72 senators: three for each province and three for the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires...
became critical given the Justicialists' advantage of 21 Senators to the UCR's 18. He was unable, however, to prevent their defeat of Alfonsín's Labor Union Reform Law of 1984 or of the proposed, 1987 transfer of the nation's capital to Viedma (both, key issues to the President). Martínez made numerous dipomatic visits abroad as Vice President. He was designated Honorary Citizen of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
by Governor George Deukmejian
George Deukmejian
Courken George Deukmejian, Jr. born June 6, 1928) is an Armenian American politician from California who as a Republican served as the 35th Governor of California and as California Attorney General .-Early life:...
, in 1985, and was made an Honorary Member of the Inter-American Bar Association, in 1986. Ultimately, however, a sharp currency crisis and sudden rioting
1989 riots in Argentina
The 1989 food riots were a series of riots and related episodes of looting in stores and supermarkets in Argentina, during the last part of the presidency of Raúl Alfonsín, between May and June 1989...
forced Alfonsín to advance the planned, December 1989 inaugural of his successor, Carlos Menem
Carlos Menem
Carlos Saúl Menem is an Argentine politician who was President of Argentina from 1989 to 1999. He is currently an Argentine National Senator for La Rioja Province.-Early life:...
, by five months, and Martínez tendered his resignation on June 30 (effective Alfonsín's July 8 handover).
He resumed his land law practice afterwards and received numerous international awards, including the Grand Cross of the Crown of Italy. Martínez was given the place of honor during the memorial service to President Raúl Alfonsin
Raúl Alfonsín
Raúl Ricardo Alfonsín was an Argentine lawyer, politician and statesman, who served as the President of Argentina from December 10, 1983, to July 8, 1989. Alfonsín was the first democratically-elected president of Argentina following the military government known as the National Reorganization...
, who died on March 31, 2009. A niece of his, Pilar Nores Bodereau
Pilar Nores de García
María del Pilar Nores Bodereau de García is an Argentine economist. Married to the President of Peru, Alan García, she was that nation's First Lady on two occasions....
, married Alan García (who would twice be elected President of Perú
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
), in 1978.