SENATE MEMORIAL 116

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

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO HOLD CONTESTS TO SELECT AN OFFICIAL STATE WINTER HOLIDAY SONG, GREEN CHILE SONG AND NEW MEXICO TRUE SONG.

 

     WHEREAS, music is an invaluable aspect of the human experience that unites people and cultures together across the ages; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a long-standing musical tradition that draws from New Mexico's rich heritage, which has been influenced by Spanish, Mexican, folk and country and western music and the music of many indigenous cultures; and

     WHEREAS, through their music, New Mexico's musical performers and composers tell unique stories that cannot be found, or compared to those, in any other part of the world; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has many unique holiday traditions, including farolitos and luminarias, pueblo dances, biscochitos and tamales, ristras and leaving Christmas lights up year-round; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to "O, Fair New Mexico", the legislature has recognized certain songs that musically capture the beauty, culture and character of this state; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature has adopted a bilingual state song, a Spanish-language state song, a state ballad and a state cowboy song; and

     WHEREAS, the state cowboy song, "Under the New Mexico Skies" was selected at a songwriting competition sponsored by the state's music commission at the western music association's music festival in Albuquerque in November 2007; and

     WHEREAS, Arkansas, Texas and Virginia, as well as many other states, have held competitions to select state songs;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the cultural affairs department be requested to hold contests to select an official state winter holiday song, green chile song and New Mexico true song; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the cultural affairs department be requested to solicit entries for these contests; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the contests allow members of the public to vote for their choices; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the winning entries be sent to the legislature for adoption as official state songs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of state and the secretary of cultural affairs.

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