SENATE MEMORIAL 97

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Bill Tallman

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING MARCH 1, 2017 "LET'S MOVE! OUTSIDE DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, Albuquerque has been designated as a let's move! outside city by the United States department of the interior, one of fifty such cities in the United States that inspire millions of young people and their families in urban areas to play, learn, serve and work in the outdoors; and

     WHEREAS, the let's move! outside initiative aims to encourage New Mexicans to play, learn, serve and work on public lands and in parks, open spaces and nature centers to discover the joys of the land of enchantment and to realize the benefits of learning to care for New Mexico's precious land, water and wildlife; and

     WHEREAS, a growing body of research highlights the role of outdoor activity in improving mental and physical health and the overall quality of life; and

     WHEREAS, the let's move! outside initiative has a specific goal to connect young people and their families to New Mexico's treasured public lands; and

     WHEREAS, in two years, the let's move! outside initiative has engaged more than two hundred ten thousand New Mexicans through nearly three hundred events on public lands and has engaged hundreds of New Mexico children in environmental education and outreach with activities, games and field trips; and

     WHEREAS, the let's move! outside initiative is charged with partnering with public, private and nonprofit organizations to create opportunities for local communities to increase their connections to the outdoors; and

     WHEREAS, the partnerships supporting let's move! outside initiatives include the national park service and Petroglyph national monument; the United States fish and wildlife service and Valle de Oro national wildlife refuge; the bureau of land management and Kasha-Katuwe tent rocks national monument; and the United States department of agriculture's forest service and Cibola national forest; and

     WHEREAS, in two years, the let's move! outside initiative has expanded to engage more than one hundred additional partners through an association with the Middle Rio Grande: education, employment and environment alliance;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that March 1, 2017 be declared "Let's Move! Outside Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all New Mexicans be encouraged to discover the benefits of playing, learning, serving and working on New Mexico public lands; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the mayor of the city of Albuquerque.

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