45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING CONGRESS TO NAME THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, AFTER UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE SANTIAGO E. CAMPOS.

WHEREAS, United States district court Judge Santiago E. Campos was the first Hispanic appointed to the federal bench in New Mexico, serving from 1978 until his death in 2001, including as chief judge from 1987 through 1989; and

WHEREAS, Judge Campos served as a role model and mentor for other jurists and lawyers who benefited from his courtroom demeanor, wisdom and legal skill and knowledge; and

WHEREAS, Judge Campos' career of public service only culminated with his service as a United States district court judge, as he also served in the United States navy as a seaman first class from 1944 to 1946, as the assistant and first assistant attorney general of New Mexico from 1954 to 1957, and as a district court judge from 1971 to 1978 in the first judicial district in the state of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, Judge Campos displayed firmness, compassion and inquisitiveness throughout his career as a judge; and

WHEREAS, Judge Campos, who was born in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, graduated first in his law school class at the university of New Mexico in 1954, received the distinguished judicial service award of the state bar of New Mexico in 1993 and the university of New Mexico's distinguished achievement award in 1993;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the congress of the United States be urged to name the federal courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after United States district court Judge Santiago E. Campos; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.