HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 10

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Rodolpho "Rudy" S. Martinez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY EXTENDING ELIGIBILITY TO FORT BAYARD NATIONAL CEMETERY TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM THE VETERANS' NATIONAL CEMETERY FUND TO PROVIDE A LASTING TRIBUTE TO ALL VETERANS OF NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, Fort Bayard national cemetery is located in southwestern New Mexico adjacent to the Gila national forest; and

     WHEREAS, that site was chosen in 1863 for its springs and its commanding view of the Apache war trails surrounding the nearby mining camps; and

     WHEREAS, Fort Bayard national cemetery is a symbol of New Mexico's shared history and the bravery of its great leaders such as Apache Chief Geronimo and United States Army General

G. D. Bayard; and

     WHEREAS, Fort Bayard national cemetery was established in 1930 and became part of the national cemetery system in 1973, when its administration was transferred from the department of the army to the department of veterans affairs; and

     WHEREAS, in the 1990s, the state of New Mexico donated just under four acres to the cemetery; and

     WHEREAS, Fort Bayard national cemetery was placed on the national register of historic places on July 7, 2002; and

     WHEREAS, the veterans' national cemetery fund was created by the legislature to provide a lasting tribute to all veterans of New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the veterans' services department be requested to study extending eligibility to Fort Bayard national cemetery to receive funds from the veterans' national cemetery fund and that the findings of the study be presented to the appropriate interim legislative committee by November 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of veterans' services and the governor.

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