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2023 SESSION

23106451D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 781
Offered February 20, 2023
Commending Daniel P. Cortez.
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Patrons-- Krizek; Senator: Reeves
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WHEREAS, Daniel P. Cortez is a respected Hispanic media pioneer and veteran who has served the Commonwealth and the nation in war and peace for over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, in the 1940s and 1950s, Daniel Cortez’s extended family developed KCOR radio and television and the Spanish International Network, which grew into UNIVISION, the nation’s largest provider of Spanish language media; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez joined the United States Marine Corps and was a fifth-generation veteran in his family; he served a tour in combat in Vietnam, where he was wounded in action and decorated for his extraordinary heroism; and

WHEREAS, after coming home from Vietnam, Daniel Cortez served as a drill instructor and later worked in public affairs; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez ably represented the United States Armed Forces when he appeared in two movies, No Way Out with actor Kevin Costner, and MacArthur with actor Gregory Peck, while still serving on active duty; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez served as a public affairs chief in the 12th Marine Corps District in San Francisco and was recognized by the mayor of San Francisco, California, who proclaimed June 15, 1983, as Daniel P. Cortez Day for his remarkable outreach and service to the community; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez relocated to the Commonwealth in 1984 while still a member of the United States Marines Corps, and ultimately served nearly 30 years in the military, retiring in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez continues his media outreach by working as a broadcaster, news writer, and opinion columnist for various Virginia and national publications; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez continues to appear on various network news programs, promoting independent political positions in support of community needs and local, state, and national candidates; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez was recognized for his Virginia media achievements as part of the Outstanding News Operation of the Year and for his Outstanding Effort as an Individual Reporter by the Virginia Association of Press Broadcasters in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez has promoted patriotism and the American dream by mentoring veterans and members of the immigrant community; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez works to aid in the rehabilitation of the veteran community suffering from post-war and training trauma as a mentor for the Commonwealth’s Veterans Treatment Docket; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez created the National Vet Court Alliance, Inc., in 2020, for which he currently serves as chair, and has donated thousands of dollars in funding and provided media awareness and mentors to support the Veterans Treatment Docket throughout the Commonwealth and the nation; and

WHEREAS, through the National Vet Court Alliance, Daniel Cortez worked with local, state, and national officials to help pass the bipartisan Veterans Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019; and

WHEREAS, because of his respected leadership, integrity, and high moral and ethical standing, Daniel Cortez was chosen along with 17 other national Hispanic leaders to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Hispanic Prosperity from 2020 to 2021; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Cortez has promoted national pride as a vocalist performing patriotic openings for the president of the United States at the White House, Virginia governors, and other officials, as well as sporting events across the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Daniel P. Cortez for his contributions to the Commonwealth and the United States as an advocate for veterans and the Hispanic community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Daniel P. Cortez as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his personal and professional achievements.