SENATE MEMORIAL 14

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

A MEMORIAL

ENCOURAGING YOUNG MEN TO BE ACTIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES AND COMMENDING A PROJECT IN ALBUQUERQUE'S SOUTH VALLEY FOR ITS SUCCESSES IN ENCOURAGING YOUNG MEN TO BECOME ACTIVE.

     WHEREAS, the south valley male involvement project since 2004 has encouraged young men to become more closely involved with their communities and families through innovative outreach integrated with clinical services; and

     WHEREAS, young male involvement in sexual reproductive health, including discussions on abstinence and comprehensive sexual education, information on clinical services and testing and discussion of risky behaviors, is key to ensuring that young men understand they are mutual contributors to pregnancy; and

     WHEREAS, fostering young men's self-respect helps encourage them to respect their partners and the community as a whole; and

     WHEREAS, the south valley male involvement project has initiated a special bilingual Spanish-English project focusing on weekly discussion of male issues among fourteen to eighteen-year-old men; and

     WHEREAS, discussion sessions within the project as well as songs and public service announcements written by project members have motivated the young men and others to become more involved with family and community; and

     WHEREAS, basketball tournaments and teen dances sponsored and organized by the south valley male involvement project help to combat obesity as well as providing positive resources and healthy alternatives; and

     WHEREAS, such social outreach to young men gives them a chance to become active contributors to a sense of community and to a betterment of community as well as helping the world become safer from violence; and

       WHEREAS, decreased rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are likely to result from more male involvement in family and community;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the south valley male involvement project be recognized and endorsed for its innovative and creative approaches to reaching out to youth and addressing public health issues; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the south valley male involvement project be encouraged to increase its financial resources and replicate itself throughout the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the south valley male involvement project.

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