SENATE MEMORIAL 56

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph Cervantes

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 28, 2023 "NEW MEXICO ARCHITECTS DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico architects offer solutions that show compassion, creativity, experience and professional education in solving some of the state's complex issues in the built environment; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico architects are specifically trained and licensed to work on the planning and design of buildings; and

     WHEREAS, there are more than two thousand three hundred individuals licensed to work as architects in New Mexico, including seven hundred twenty-three licensed architects who call New Mexico home; and

     WHEREAS, these architects improve the lives of individuals and the vibrancy of communities; and

     WHEREAS, architects are obligated to protect the health, safety and welfare of a building's occupants, including through sustainable design; and

     WHEREAS, community sustainability goals are fulfilled in part by an architect's ability to create practical solutions to the challenges posed by climate change, population growth and movement and the pursuit of more connected, healthier communities; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico architects recognize that the time for climate action is now and that architects play a crucial role in mitigating and adapting to climate change through sustainable and resilient design, improved energy efficiency and renewable energy, protection of water resources and other sustainability strategies that support mitigation by conserving resources and reducing carbon emissions; and

     WHEREAS, architects recognize that building construction and operation and construction materials manufacturing creates nearly forty percent of the earth's carbon dioxide emissions, and New Mexico architects support the goal of achieving net-zero emissions through energy efficiency, sustainable material choices and renewable power uses; and

     WHEREAS, resilient design helps New Mexico communities adapt to evolving conditions, reduce harm and property damage and more effectively and efficiently recover from adverse events, helping to ensure a community's ecological, economic and cultural survival; and

     WHEREAS, architects can draw upon both sustainability and resilience to become a force of valuable change by transforming the day-to-day practice of architecture to achieve a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient and healthy built environment; and

     WHEREAS, architects strengthen society by developing equitable living solutions that embody New Mexico's democratic ideals; and

     WHEREAS, architects bring technical knowledge and responsibility to each project, including knowledge of building and safety regulations, local planning regulations and restrictions, construction and historic preservation; and

     WHEREAS, the architects of New Mexico are vigilant in the stewardship of many of the state's great architectural and historic treasures;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state recognize that New Mexico architects design better buildings, communities and public spaces that benefit the residents of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that February 28, 2023 be declared "New Mexico Architects Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the American institute of architects of New Mexico.