In January 2005, Jesus Martinez Saldana took up his new position as a state legislator in the Mexican state of Michoacan.
What is unusual about his job is that he was the first person elected to represent Michoacanos who no longer live in Mexico.
Millions of Michoacanos now live in America. Until now, they have had no political voice back in Mexico. Martinez Saldana has been very vocal in the effort to get voting rights for Mexicans living outside Mexico. The bill he supported was recently signed into law by President Vicente Fox. In addition, Martinez Saldana is determined to develop better policies in healthcare, education, business and infrastructure in Michoacan.
Having left behind his wife and young son and a secure job as a professor at Fresno State University, Martinez Saldana argues that he is prepared for personal sacrifice to try to make life a little better for his fellow Michoacanos.
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