Senate committee hears tributes for former Representative Roger Martin

The Senate Committee on Rules held a public hearing on House Concurrent Resolution 10 to honor former state Representative Roger Martin for his legislative career and civic work.

Multiple former staffers and colleagues described Martin as a mentor who launched many careers in the Capitol. Cindy Robert, a lobbyist who began her career working for Martin, said, "Roger was kind and loyal, and we all benefited from that," and recounted mentoring and the tradition of inviting legislators from both parties to dinners that fostered bipartisan relationships. Kelsey Wilson, another former staffer, said Martin "launched our careers in this building" and described family-friendly office practices that allowed employees to bring children to work.

Gary Bauer recalled Martin's persistence in public life, noting multiple runs for office and his role in local governmental reforms and later creating a lobbying and public relations firm. Other witnesses emphasized Martin's role in mentoring and sustaining informal networks of former legislators and staff; several recounted personal stories, golf trips, and dinner gatherings that they said helped bridge partisan divides.

The committee closed the public hearing after testimony; there was no recorded committee vote in the transcript.

Why it matters: Supporters positioned HCR 10 as a recognition of a longtime legislative figure whose mentorship and cross-party engagement shaped staff culture and relationships in the Capitol.

Next steps: Hearing closed; committee action on the resolution was not recorded in the transcript.