HOUSE MEMORIAL 44

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Rick Miera

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 10, 2006 AS "ENLACE NEW MEXICO DAY" IN THE NEW MEXICO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico is committed to providing access to quality education for all of its students from pre-kindergarten through higher education; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a rich multicultural heritage that is rooted in its unique history; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's Latino students and communities contribute to the multicultural heritage of the state, and with improved educational attainment, represent a significant promise for a bright economic future for the state; and

     WHEREAS, data from the public education department, the higher education department and the national center for education statistics illustrate a significant achievement gap between Latino students and other student groups in New Mexico schools; and

     WHEREAS, this achievement gap results in considerable economic and social cost to the state as a result of Latino high school student dropout rates at nearly forty-four percent and an average of fifty percent non-completion rates for Latino students at the baccalaureate degree level; and

     WHEREAS, ENLACE New Mexico, "Engaging Latino Communities for Education", has over the past four years established community partnerships including post-graduate institutions such as the university of New Mexico school of law and the school of medicine; and

     WHEREAS, ENLACE New Mexico believes that a quality Latino-focused educational initiative will create a world-class educational system for all New Mexico students; and

     WHEREAS, remaining responsive and responsible to students, parents and communities is imperative to educational success for students in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the work of ENLACE recognizes, validates and embraces core Latino cultural values, including the strength of the familia, the bonds of comunidad and the mutuality of respeto; and

     WHEREAS, students, parents and communities must define programmatic and policy issues necessary to effect systemic change in this state; and

     WHEREAS, elected officials throughout the state have come together in a bipartisan effort to support the continuation and expansion of the ENLACE New Mexico mission;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 10, 2006 be declared "ENLACE New Mexico Day" in the New Mexico house of representatives and that recognition be extended to ENLACE New Mexico for its service in recognizing that, by increasing opportunities for academic achievement, school completion and engagement in higher education, ENLACE New Mexico continues to improve educational opportunities and results, not only for Latino students, but for all students in New Mexico.

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