44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF CARLOS FRANCISCO VIGIL.

WHEREAS, Carlos Francisco Vigil died on August 13, 1999; and

WHEREAS, he defended the poor as his grandfather taught him to and was a kind-hearted man who fought for his clients' rights; and

WHEREAS, he wanted to help his clients get a "fair deal", in his widow's words, and accepted as payment what his clients could afford, maybe a goat or firewood if that was all they could afford; and

WHEREAS, Carlos graduated from Espanola high school in 1964, attended the university of New Mexico, where he graduated with a degree in political science in 1968, and received his law degree from the university of Denver; and

WHEREAS, he served as an advocate and counsel for the poor for twenty-two years, was an avid hunter, a former teacher, and according to State District Judge Art Encinias, "he was a straight talker . . . he always told the truth"; and

WHEREAS, his death has left much emptiness in many hearts;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that condolences and our heartfelt sympathies be expressed to Carlos Vigil's widow Andrea, the rest of his family and the hundreds of friends and admirers he left behind; he was truly a devoted and dedicated New Mexican.