SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 1

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy Z. Jennings

A JOINT MEMORIAL

EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCE OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE PASSING OF JOE SKEEN, FORMER CONGRESSMAN AND LEGISLATOR.

     WHEREAS, Joe Skeen died on December 7, 2003; and

     WHEREAS, he was born on June 30, 1927 in Roswell; and

     WHEREAS, he represented the people of New Mexico's second congressional district in the United States house of representatives for twenty-two years, the longest service of any New Mexican congressman, and was a powerful voice in congress, never failing to address individual requests for assistance; and

     WHEREAS, his focus in Washington was agriculture, national defense and public land management; and

     WHEREAS, he was a member of the house appropriations committee, chairman of the house appropriations subcommittee on agriculture and chairman of the house appropriations subcommittee on the interior and was informally designated by his colleagues a "cardinal"; and

     WHEREAS, he vigorously supported New Mexico's military installations and numerous issues concerning the department of the interior; and

     WHEREAS, he always supported the protection of property rights, encouraging businesses to expand by reducing intrusive government, balancing the federal budget, providing tax relief, improving education and fighting crime; and

     WHEREAS, he served in the United States navy and the United States air force reserve after graduating from Texas

A & M university in 1950; and

     WHEREAS, he was the first soil and water conservation engineer for the Pueblo of Zuni and the Ramah chapter of the Navajo Nation; and

     WHEREAS, he served on the boards of the New Mexico wool growers association and the New Mexico cattle growers association, was president of the Lincoln county farm bureau and was a member of the American legion; and

     WHEREAS, he was a member of the state senate from 1960 to 1970 and served as chairman of the state's Republican party; and

     WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife Mary Helen, his son Mike, his daughter Lisa, three grandchildren and many friends and colleagues;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that condolences be expressed on the loss of Joe Skeen, a loving and devoted New Mexican; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Mary Helen Skeen.

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