SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 18

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Carlos R. Cisneros

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO NAME A PORTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 285 THE "BEN LUJAN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY".

     WHEREAS, with the passing of esteemed colleague and friend, the late Speaker of the House of Representatives Ben Lujan, we keenly feel that one of the greatest New Mexicans is missing; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan served the state as speaker of the house of representatives from 2001 until 2012; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan has been an inspiration to his fellow New Mexicans since he worked his way from ironworker to Santa Fe county commissioner to legislator and, later, into house leadership leading to the role of speaker of the house of representatives; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan will always be remembered and loved in New Mexico for his tireless work on behalf of every New Mexican, for creating opportunities for growth, protecting the vulnerable among us and fostering good government; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan was beloved as an "instant friend ... companion ... the man who will cover your back no matter where you are", in the words of Speaker Lujan's predecessor as speaker of the house, Raymond Sanchez; and

     WHEREAS, many colleagues here in the house and in the senate saw Speaker Lujan as their treasured friend and mentor; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan loved and was beloved by his home community of Nambe and the entire northern New Mexico area, where he grew up, raised his family and contributed as a community leader; and

     WHEREAS, at the end of the 2012 legislative session, Speaker Lujan made reference to the state's centennial and said, "I leave you as you begin your journey to the next hundred years";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state transportation commission be requested to rename a portion of United States highway 285 that travels between Nambe and Española the "Ben Lujan Memorial Highway" so that New Mexicans may remember him on their journeys to the next hundred years; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state transportation commission and to the family of Speaker Ben Lujan.

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