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

REQUESTING THE SANTA FE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO INCORPORATE FURNITURE-MAKING AND THE HISTORY OF FURNITURE INTO ITS CURRICULUM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

WHEREAS, furniture in northern New Mexico has a rich cultural tradition, widely recognized for its distinctive style, quality and craftsmanship; and

WHEREAS, northern New Mexico furniture shows Mexican, Spanish, Moorish and Anasazi influences and modern workmanship reflects even broader traditions; and

WHEREAS, the southwestern furniture style, in turn, is influencing artisans all over the world; and

WHEREAS, many skills are involved in fashioning mostly wood materials into utilitarian and artful pieces, among them plant husbandry, lumbering, processing wood, fashioning a product, marketing and selling merchandise; and

WHEREAS, the diverse skills required for the whole furniture-making process offer the opportunity to create jobs, preserve cultural traditions, educate young people and satisfy consumer desires; and

WHEREAS, Atalaya elementary school in Santa Fe has provided its students the opportunity to learn about the history, culture, economy, science and art of furniture through the teachings of master craftsman Miguel Chavez, and student participation has been enthusiastic;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the Santa Fe public schools and other schools support the educational approach that the curriculum at Atalaya elementary school offers, a hands-on and exciting teaching method that integrates many subjects and focuses students' attention, giving students practical and immediate benefits of education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the Santa Fe school board and to the superintendent of public instruction.