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HOUSE MEMORIAL 55

48

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Peter Wirth

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING MARCH 2, 2007 AS "MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE DAY"

AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN HONOR OF THE SANTA FE

INTERNATIONAL FOLK ART MARKET.

WHEREAS, the Santa Fe international folk art market in

partnership with the museum of international folk art and the

museum of New Mexico foundation host an annual festive, two-day

venue for artists from around the world to create and sell

high-quality artwork; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the market is to foster economic

and cultural sustainability for folk artists and folk art

worldwide and to create intercultural exchange opportunities

uniting the peoples of the world; and

WHEREAS, many of the artists are from developing countries

where they are confronting daunting political, social and

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environmental situations; and

WHEREAS, other artists are reviving and revitalizing

traditional art forms; and

WHEREAS, the Santa Fe international folk art market is the

largest international folk art market in the United States with

one hundred select folk artists traveling to Santa Fe each

summer from forty countries; and

WHEREAS, a small but dedicated staff work year-round with

over seven hundred volunteers to make the market a success; and

WHEREAS, fourteen thousand to eighteen thousand attendees

are expected in July 2007; and

WHEREAS, in 2006, thirty-six percent of visitors to the

market were from out-of-state, generating five hundred thirty

thousand dollars ($530,000) in occupancy tax and gross receipts

tax from one million three hundred thousand dollars

($1,300,000) in artists' sales paid to the state; and

WHEREAS, in 2005 the market's success led to Santa Fe's

designation as a United Nations educational, scientific and

cultural organization creative city in the areas of folk art

and design, the first United States city named to the

prestigious creative cities network and one of only six such

cities around the world;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the house

recognize the founders, staff and volunteers and all those

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involved in creating and sustaining the Santa Fe international

folk art market for their accomplishments, and that they be

acknowledged for their combined efforts that are helping to

make a difference in the world; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that March 2, 2007 be declared

"Making a World of Difference Day" at the house of

representatives in honor of the Santa Fe international folk art

market.

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