SENATE MEMORIAL 22

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Jacob R. Candelaria

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO PROCLAIM MARCH 2, 2018 "SPEECH AND DEBATE EDUCATION DAY" IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, national speech and debate education day is being celebrated on March 2, 2018 to promote enhanced instruction in speech and debate across all grade levels and to highlight the pivotal role speech and debate abilities play in personal

advocacy, social movements and public policy; and

     WHEREAS, speech and debate education helps students develop important skills in communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration through the practice of public speaking; and

     WHEREAS, speech and debate education in New Mexico has grown significantly over the past decade, with thousands of students participating every year; and

     WHEREAS, speech and debate instruction is an essential component of a well-rounded educational curriculum, and New Mexico speech and debate alumni have been admitted to the top colleges and universities across the globe; and

     WHEREAS, through speech and debate, participants learn not only to analyze and express complex ideas effectively, but also to listen, concur, question and dissent with reason and compassion; and

     WHEREAS, the skills learned through speech and debate empower youth to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals and leaders in today's global society; and

     WHEREAS, countless educators in New Mexico devote in-school, after-school and weekend time to supporting their students in speech and debate practices and competitions, and their example of hard work and dedication makes a lasting, positive impact on their pupils; and

     WHEREAS, students from New Mexico have finished at the top of the national speech and debate tournament every year; the 2012 national speech and debate student of the year was from East Mountain high school in Sandia Park; and debaters from New Mexico consistently place in the top five in the world in the international public policy forum; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico speech and debate association will host the 2020 national speech and debate tournament in Albuquerque; and

     WHEREAS, the 2020 national speech and debate tournament will be one of the largest conferences ever held in Albuquerque, hosting an estimated ten thousand students, coaches and volunteers; and

     WHEREAS, it is estimated that the 2020 national speech and debate tournament will add ten million dollars ($10,000,000) to the Albuquerque economy;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that in recognition of the substantial contribution speech and debate experience makes to students' educations and lives, the governor be requested to proclaim March 2, 2018 "Speech and Debate Education Day" in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of public education, the president of the New Mexico speech and debate association and the executive director of the national speech and debate association.

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