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

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF BILINGUALISM AND MULTILINGUALISM, AND DESIGNATING APRIL 30, 2002 "EL DIA DE LOS NINOS, DIA DE LOS LIBROS".

WHEREAS, one in five New Mexico school children comes from a home in which a language other than English is spoken; and

WHEREAS, United States citizens, including New Mexico residents, are increasingly required to compete in an international marketplace in which bilingualism and multilingualism are recognized as assets that contribute to individual potential for success; and

WHEREAS, the legislature has recognized, in the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act, the educational value of the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of students in school curricula, the value of providing students with opportunities to expand their conceptual and linguistic abilities in a successful and positive manner and the value of teaching students to appreciate the beauty of different languages and cultures; and

WHEREAS, the state board of education has established a strategic goal of ensuring that all students graduate both bilingual and biliterate in recognition of the importance of bilingualism;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that April 30, 2002 be declared "El Dia de los Ninos, Dia de los Libros" to celebrate bilingual literacy and to honor the diverse linguistic and cultural wealth of the state of New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that schools, universities, libraries, community groups, museums and the media be encouraged to celebrate the day by engaging in activities that celebrate all languages; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that communities be encouraged to increase their bilingual library collections and to urge their local bookstores to create multilingual book displays; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that parents and family members who speak a language other than English be encouraged to share bilingual stories and games at schools and special events and to engage in other activities that celebrate multilingualism; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the association of commerce and industry, the commission on higher education, the state department of public education, the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties and the New Mexico library association.