SENATE MEMORIAL 11

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Gregory A. Baca

A MEMORIAL

HONORING JAMES "JIM" P. WHITE AND RECOGNIZING HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, James "Jim" P. White, who served as a Republican senator for district 19 from 2016 to 2020, passed away in Albuquerque on January 15, 2021; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White grew up on the south side of Chicago; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White caddied at the Oak Park country club in suburban Chicago throughout high school, earning an Evans scholars foundation golf caddie scholarship; and

     WHEREAS, in college, Senator White met his wife, Jacquie, on a blind date; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White and Jacquie were married in 1965 and immediately set off for Senator White's flight training school in Texas to begin a long adventure together in the United States air force; and

     WHEREAS, initially flying Boeing KC-135 stratotankers and Lockheed C-130 Hercules planes, Senator White later shifted to piloting helicopters, namely the Sikorsky HH-3E, nicknamed the "jolly green giant"; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White served more than thirteen tours of duty, flew search and rescue in Vietnam and lastly served as chief of staff for air force special operations command in Florida; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White retired honorably in 1992 as a colonel after twenty-six years of service, having earned numerous awards that include the air force legion of merit and the distinguished flying cross; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White then began a brief career as airfield operations manager for the Albuquerque international sunport; and

     WHEREAS, after seven years, Senator White retired again to support his wife's career and to have the time to enjoy his family; and

     WHEREAS, in 2009, Senator White's sense of duty compelled him to answer the call to join the New Mexico legislature; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to representing district 19 in the senate from 2016 to 2020, Senator White represented district 20 in the house of representatives from 2009 to 2014; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White's quiet, introspective and calm demeanor earned him the respect of members of both parties; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White was devoted to his family and regularly kept in touch with his children, grandchildren, siblings and extended family members; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White was always ready to celebrate the news of a wedding, graduation, promotion or new family member; and

     WHEREAS, an avid lifelong golfer, Senator White's appreciation for the game mirrored his approach to life: respect the game, play by the rules, celebrate the birdies and do not dwell on the bogies; and

     WHEREAS, he often teed off before sunrise, walked the course with the bag over his shoulder and finished the eighteenth hole in time for breakfast; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White never shied from adventure, and his stories are treasured family folklore: getting slightly tangled in the great train robbery due to an abandoned car in France, an illegal u-turn in South Korea's royal palace, a passport debacle in Malaysia, dancing with the Maasai Mara in Kenya, hiking the Grand canyon with a torn ligament and cycling down Mauna Kea at the break of dawn; and

     WHEREAS, a true storyteller, Senator White told each one with a healthy dose of humor, while touching a great many lives with his love, kindness and compassion; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White quietly supported his family, friends, community and country with his wisdom, advice and simply leading by example; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White earned the love and respect of many and was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington national cemetery; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White was preceded in death by his beloved wife of forty-nine years, Jacqueline, and his brother, Stanley "Bud" White; and

     WHEREAS, Senator White is survived by his children, Jennifer White, Julie Goldblatt and John, and Christopher White and Angela Wehr; his sisters, Joyce Bousquet and Karen Brienzo; his brother-in-law, William Stadnik and Jan; his grandchildren, Mitchell, Jessi, Dallan and Justine; and an aunt, cousins, nieces and nephews he held dear;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that James "Jim" P. White be honored for his many years of public service and dedication to the residents of New Mexico and his commitment to the many people whose lives he touched; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the family of Senator James "Jim" P. White.

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