By Karen Lee Ziner
Journal staff writer

CRANSTON, R.I -- Ivan G. Marte, chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Hispanic Assembly, says he has quit the GOP out of embarrassment at South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during President Obama's address to Congress last week.

Wilson shouted 'You Lie,' when Obama remarked that illegal immigrants would not receive benefits under his health care plan.

"I do not want to continue being a member of a party in which the members of the party express themselves in that way," said Marte, 59, of Cranston. In a phone interview, he called Wilson's behavior "shameful" and "uncivilized."

But Marte said Wilson's outburst was the last straw in a series of disappointments that led him to break with his party.

Marte became "disenchanted" with Governor Carcieri after the Republican governor sought his advice -- and then ignored it, Marte said -- concerning the 2008 executive order cracking down on illegal immigration. Carcieri's order angered many in the Hispanic community.

Marte suggested Carcieri visit Hispanic families in their homes; meet with Hispanic community leaders, and answer questions on Hispanic talk radio. "I think once I left the office, they must have thrown it [his suggestions] in the garbage," Marte said. "I haven't heard back."

He also said in the interview that the GOP "does not open the door to minority groups," and needs "to adapt" to a changing society.

In a letter to GOP chairman Giovanni Cicione, Marte wrote: "It's with sorrow that I am morally obligated to resign my position as the Chairman of the RI Republican Hispanic Assembly, my post as a member of the Republican Central Committee, and my city registration to this party."

Cicione said, "I'm disappointed when anybody chooses not to participate. It's clear that we valued his participation, because I appointed him to a leadership position with his party, which included a seat on the executive committee. I'm not sure what else we would have done."

Cicione added, "I wish he would reconsider and choose to participate, and he would always be welcome to do so."

Marte becomes the second Hispanic Assembly chairman to quit the party since the spring of 2008.

David A. Quiroa, whom Marte replaced as chair of the GOP Hispanic Assembly, also quit in frustration over Carcieri's controversial executive order on illegal immigration.