HOUSE MEMORIAL 39
56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023
INTRODUCED BY
Jack Chatfield and Ambrose Castellano and Joseph L. Sanchez
A MEMORIAL
DECLARING FEBRUARY 13, 2023 "LAS VEGAS DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND RECOGNIZING LAS VEGAS AS TRAILBLAZING THROUGH SUCCESS AND EDUCATION.
WHEREAS, Las Vegas was founded in 1835 as a Spanish land grant called Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Las Vegas Grandes; and
WHEREAS, the Spanish settlers who founded the community had roots going back to the seventeenth century; and
WHEREAS, the acequia Madre in Las Vegas stands as a testament to more than one hundred fifty years of resourcefulness and ingenuity; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas was a key rest stop, resupply point and protector of the Santa Fe trail, serving as a hub of commerce and lifeline between the growing west and the eastern parts of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas can be described as innovative and unvarnished, having courage and resolve, strength of character, fortitude, determination, perseverance and endurance; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas is laying a strong foundation for private-sector growth and the sustainability of small businesses; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas is committed to building a foundation for economic growth; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas' can-do attitude will help Las Vegas move forward, find quality-of-life and economic solutions and expand homegrown companies; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas' authentic assets will remain its cultural foundation and the horsepower to drive tourism, new industry and growth; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas offers a multitude of unique shopping, dining, musical and cultural experiences and adventures; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas continues to attract and maintain cool historical characters, including the boxer Jack Johnson; El Hermitano, who lived at Hermits peak; and more popular historical characters such as Doc Holliday, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp and Jesse James; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas and San Miguel county have more than nine hundred buildings on the national register of historic places; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas and San Miguel county are unmatched as an inviting and incredible tourist destination, with fine historic hotels, authentic New Mexico character and easy access to other local historic sites and outdoor recreation; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas and San Miguel county are beacons in the land of enchantment; and
WHEREAS, aside from its historic and tourist attractions, Las Vegas is home to many critical state institutions; and
WHEREAS, one such institution is the New Mexico behavioral health institute at Las Vegas, the only state-owned and state-operated psychiatric hospital, which provides critical medical services to the state, including long-term nursing care for the elderly and disabled; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas is home to a wealth of knowledge with five major educational institutions: New Mexico highlands university, Luna community college, united world college, the Las Vegas city public school district and the west Las Vegas public school district; and
WHEREAS, these educational institutions are gems of the city and crucibles of learning, teaching and discovery, reaching far beyond northern New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas and San Miguel county are committed to the cultivation of growing film and technological economies;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the distinguished history and heritage of Las Vegas and San Miguel county be recognized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that support be expressed for the business and film industry for its efforts to create jobs and to promote the people and attractions of northern New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that February 13, 2023 be declared "Las Vegas Day" in the house of representatives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the mayor of Las Vegas, the members of the city council of Las Vegas and the board of county commissioners of San Miguel county.
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