Mel Gibson | Mel Brooks | Mel Blanc | Mel Tormé | Pedro Martínez | Mel Smith | Mel Tillis | Mel Lastman | Mel Giedroyc | Mel Martin | Mel Lewis | Martinez, California | Bob Martinez | Tino Martinez | Mel Bochner | Mel Allen | Roberto Martínez | Odaline de la Martinez | Mel White | Mel Watkins | Mel Ramos | Mel Kiper, Jr. | Mel Judah | Mel Chin | Mel Carnahan | Mel | Tomás Eloy Martínez | Susana Martinez | Peter Mel | Mel Whinnen |
He unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination in the United States Senate primary in 2004, although his fundraising and polling numbers lagged far behind rivals Betty Castor, Peter Deutsch and Alex Penelas in the primary (Castor ultimately prevailed but lost the general election to the Republican candidate, Mel Martinez 49 to 48).
He has worked for several political candidates, including Bob Dole, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. Mel Martinez, Sen. Johnny Isaacson, Reps. Jon Porter, Jack Kingston, Kenny Hulsholf, Max Burns, and Katherine Harris.
Past keynote speakers have included Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Chairman & CEO of Marriott International, Bill Marriott and U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman, Orrin Hatch, Kay Bailey Hutchison and Mel Martinez.
While the bill had been proposed by Republican Senators Rick Santorum and Mel Martinez, it also had the support of Democratic Senator Tom Harkin due to disability rights concerns in the Schiavo case.