HOUSE MEMORIAL 82
56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023
INTRODUCED BY
Alan T. Martinez and Mark Duncan and Debra M. Sariñana
and Harry Garcia and Eliseo Lee Alcon
A MEMORIAL
RECOGNIZING AND HONORING NEW MEXICO PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WHEREAS, New Mexico has always supported its military veteran population; and
WHEREAS, the purple heart medal is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as the badge of military merit by General George Washington in 1782; and
WHEREAS, the purple heart medal was the first American service award or decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States armed forces who have been wounded or made the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the military order of the purple heart is to foster an environment of goodwill among combat-wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives and, most importantly, ensure that purple heart recipients are never forgotten; and
WHEREAS, an estimated two thousand five hundred to three thousand New Mexicans have earned the purple heart medal; and
WHEREAS, the sacrifices that New Mexico purple heart recipients have made in defending residents' freedoms are acknowledged and appreciated; and
WHEREAS, it is important that purple heart recipients be acknowledged for their courage and shown the honor and support they earned;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico be declared a purple heart state and that purple heart recipients be honored and recognized for their service and sacrifice for the state and the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of veterans' services and the department of New Mexico military order of the purple heart.
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