HOUSE MEMORIAL 68

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

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

A MEMORIAL

URGING THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO MAINTAIN FULL CONGRESSIONAL FUNDING FOR THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AND INSTALLATIONS IN LAS CRUCES, ALAMOGORDO, DONA ANA COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

     WHEREAS, the importance of the aerospace industry and installations in southern New Mexico cannot be overestimated; and

     WHEREAS, the history clearly establishes the role of the White Sands test facility, White Sands missile range and Holloman air force base in developing America's preeminence in space flight and aerospace development; and  

     WHEREAS, the White Sands test facility, a part of the national aeronautics and space administration's Johnson space center that was formed as part of the Apollo program, is located outside of Las Cruces; and

     WHEREAS, the United States space shuttle missions and aerospace industry and installations directly and indirectly employ tens of thousands of New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, the White Sands test facility plays a critical role in the national aeronautics and space administration's space mission in the fields of materials testing, propulsion systems and more; and

      WHEREAS, after World War II, Holloman air force base was considered for closure before the air materiel command announced on March 16, 1947 that the airfield would be its primary site for the testing and development of pilotless aircraft, guided missiles and other research programs; and

     WHEREAS, at that base, Lieutenant Colonel John P. Stapp received the nickname "the fastest man alive" when he rode a rocket-propelled test sled, Sonic Wind No. 1, to a speed of six hundred thirty-two miles per hour; and

     WHEREAS, Holloman air force base is home to the world's longest and fastest high-speed test track, which is over fifty thousand feet in length and was used to set the land speed record of six thousand four hundred fifty-three miles per hour; and

     WHEREAS, the space shuttle orbiter Columbia landed in a dust storm at White Sands space harbor, when, after seven days in space, the space shuttle could not land at its original destination in California because of a flood; and

     WHEREAS, approximately seventy-five percent of all space shuttle training flights have been conducted at White Sands space harbor; and

     WHEREAS, for each space shuttle mission, White Sands missile range is prepared to accept an orbiter landing for an in-flight emergency or as a weather contingency alternate to the primary landing sites at Kennedy space center and Edwards air force base; and

     WHEREAS, the space shuttle projects at White Sands test facility, White Sands missile range and Holloman air force base have had a significant impact on the economic life of Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Dona Ana county and surrounding areas; and

     WHEREAS, the space shuttle projects at White Sands have had a remarkable place in the history of aviation and military affairs and have fostered deep pride in New Mexico and the nation; and

     WHEREAS, collectively, these facilities not only played an invaluable role to the nation's preeminence in aerospace exploration but a very significant economic role in the southern New Mexico communities in which they are located; and

     WHEREAS, having high-wage employment opportunities from the space shuttle mission and related aerospace industries has helped Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Dona Ana county and surrounding New Mexico communities flourish; and

     WHEREAS, more than six hundred contractors are employed by the White Sands test facility alone; and

     WHEREAS, nearly ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) a year flows from the White Sands test facility into the New Mexico economy; and

     WHEREAS, the United States space shuttle missions are due to cease in 2010;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico congressional delegation be urged to continue its support of development of and funding for southern New Mexico's rich and nationally significant aerospace industry and installations, including the White Sands test facility, White Sands missile range and Holloman air force base; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation, the governor, the base commanders of the White Sands test facility, White Sands missile range and Holloman air force base, the mayors of Las Cruces and Alamogordo and the chambers of commerce of those cities.

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