SENATE MEMORIAL 108

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Stuart Ingle

A MEMORIAL

HONORING SENATOR SUE WILSON BEFFORT AND RECOGNIZING HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, after serving in the New Mexico senate for nearly twenty years and five terms, Senator Sue Wilson Beffort will be retiring at the end of her current term in December 2016; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort, a Republican, was appointed on December 27, 1996 to represent District 19, which covers Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe and Torrance counties; and

     WHEREAS, for most of her legislative tenure, Senator Beffort served on the legislative finance committee and on the senate finance committee, where she is currently the ranking member; and

     WHEREAS, an issue very near and dear to Senator Beffort is helping all New Mexico children get a good start in life; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort has been an advocate for various early childhood development initiatives during her legislative tenure and was the co-sponsor of legislation promoting full-day kindergarten; and

     WHEREAS, as one of the original members on the legislative health and human services committee, Senator Beffort had the opportunity to learn about the root causes of poverty and to gain insight into best-practice solutions; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort credits those committee hearings with directing her focus on early childhood learning, so that at-risk children would have the necessary preparation prior to entering elementary school; and

     WHEREAS, as a former small business owner, Senator Beffort has been deeply committed to promoting a pro-business agenda and to helping small businesses to prosper and to hire more New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort has been an activist on medical issues, particularly in the areas of nursing and dentistry, as well as a supporter of programs at the university of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort co-sponsored former Governor Gary Johnson's income tax bills for several years and was the Republican co-sponsor of former Governor Bill Richardson's income tax and capital gains tax reduction bill, which became law; and

     WHEREAS, another key accomplishment for Senator Beffort was the sponsorship of the renewable energy bill, enabling New Mexico to profit from becoming a major producer of wind energy; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort is the proud mother of Sean, who is in the real estate business, and who is the father of Senator Beffort's only granddaughter, Lauren Grace, whom Senator Beffort lovingly refers to as her prized possession; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort is also the proud mother of Eric, a cinematographer in Hollywood who recently completed the Harry Potter film promotion for Universal studios; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort is the widow of the late Steve Beffort, whom many people knew and loved; and they sympathize with Senator Beffort's profound loss since his passing in June 2014; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort is an avid golfer and artist and is continuing to perfect her classical piano playing skills; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Beffort is looking forward to working in, and enjoying, her extensive gardens;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Senator Sue Wilson Beffort be honored for her passion for the well-being of New Mexico's children and her dedication to the people of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Senator Sue Wilson Beffort.

- 4 -