HOUSE MEMORIAL 53
56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023
INTRODUCED BY
Harry Garcia and Joseph L. Sanchez and Eliseo Lee Alcon and Debra M. Sariñana and Alan T. Martinez
A MEMORIAL
DECLARING FEBRUARY 20, 2023 "MILITARY AND VETERANS DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WHEREAS, the nation was founded on the belief that all Americans live in a free society and are guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and
WHEREAS, these freedoms everyone enjoys do not come without a price, and they have been fought for and defended by the nation's military service members who have sacrificed to preserve and protect those freedoms and the country from all enemies, foreign and domestic; and
WHEREAS, there exists in New Mexico a long and proud history of military service by its residents, dating back to the indigenous peoples who were willing to fight for, and defend, their land from European settlers; and
WHEREAS, New Mexicans turned back the Confederacy at the battle of Glorieta pass in northern New Mexico in 1862; and
WHEREAS, New Mexicans were an integral part of Teddy Roosevelt's famed "rough riders", who helped drive off Spain from Cuba and led to victory in the Spanish-American War; and
WHEREAS, in World War I, fourteen thousand one hundred New Mexicans served; forty-nine thousand five hundred New Mexicans served in World War II; twenty-five thousand New Mexicans served in the Korean conflict; fifty-seven thousand New Mexicans served in the Vietnam conflict; and more than fifty thousand New Mexicans have served since the Gulf War; and
WHEREAS, with four military installations, twelve thousand seven hundred active-duty personnel, four thousand national guard and reserve members, as well as one hundred forty-one thousand veterans living in the state, military influence remains a strong part of the fabric of New Mexico today;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recognition be extended to New Mexico's military personnel and veterans by declaring February 20, 2023 "Military and Veterans Day" in the house of representatives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico's current and former military service members be honored and thanked for their service and sacrifice for the country; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary-designate of veterans' services.
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