44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES AT THE PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR GEORGE T. KORAN.

WHEREAS, George T. "The Blade" Koran died on January 11, 1999; and

WHEREAS, he served in the state senate after winning election from district 39 in 1966; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, he distinguished himself by flying with the flying tigers in China under the command of Major General Claire Chennault and, after being shot down by the Japanese, and told by a young Ho Chi Minh that the Japanese had offered fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) as a reward for his capture, he nevertheless returned to fly with the American volunteer group; and

WHEREAS, after the war, he came to New Mexico where he started the Koran construction company, building the republic square shopping center and San Pedro village apartments, among many other projects; and

WHEREAS, he helped found the state's air national guard and founded the republic national bank; and

WHEREAS, he served on the board of the Santa Fe opera and was the chair of the independent council of colleges and universities of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his children, George, Jr., Donald, Steven, Kristen and Cathryn, eight grandchildren and two nieces;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that condolences be expressed to the family and friends of George T. Koran, a distinguished, loving and devoted New Mexican.