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

REMEMBERING THE LATE GOVERNOR JACK MOREN CAMPBELL.

WHEREAS, after a lengthy illness, Governor Jack Moren Campbell passed away in Santa Fe on Monday, June 14, 1999 at the age of eighty-two; and

WHEREAS, Governor Campbell, a lifelong democrat, was a true gentleman who was greatly respected by democrats and republicans alike; and

WHEREAS, a product of the depression, Governor Campbell was raised in Hutchinson, Kansas by his mother, a widow, and his two older sisters; and

WHEREAS, Governor Campbell attended Washburn college in Topeka, where he was graduated magna cum laude in history and political science before earning his law degree from the same school; and

WHEREAS, he moved to New Mexico and practiced law in Albuquerque, then became a federal bureau of investigation agent before joining the United States marine corps and serving with the third marine division in the south pacific; and

WHEREAS, after the war, Jack moved to Roswell and practiced law in the oil patch before being elected to the house of representatives in 1955; and

WHEREAS, he represented Chaves county through 1962, serving his last term as speaker of the house before winning the gubernatorial election of 1962; and

WHEREAS, Jack M. Campbell is recognized by most of the people involved in New Mexico politics as one of the best governors New Mexico has ever had; and

WHEREAS, his popularity was clearly proven when he was returned to office with sixty percent of the electorate giving him a resounding vote of confidence, a record that still stands; and

WHEREAS, during his two terms as governor, he was responsible for many of the state's most important construction projects, including the state capitol, the state library and the Rio Grande gorge bridge, the nation's second-highest bridge, which was named the most beautiful long-span bridge in America; and

WHEREAS, it was through his efforts as governor that New Mexico moved from a patronage system to a professional personnel system; and

WHEREAS, the governor was always on the cutting edge of scientific and technological progress, being the first governor to name a science adviser, winning NASA's public service award in 1974 and founding technet in 1983; and

WHEREAS, his public service was also characterized by his commitment to rural development and his dedication to less fortunate New Mexicans; and

WHEREAS, many people will remember Governor Jack M. Campbell for his compassion, his ability to listen and the respect he paid to other points of view, all the attributes that make a well-loved public servant; and

WHEREAS, the senate would be remiss if it did not also remember Jack Campbell for his great storytelling, which will be sorely missed around the roundhouse, and his champion fishing ability, proven by his catching the New Mexico record five-pound, twenty-one-inch brook trout;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that condolences be extended to his family, sons Michael and John Terry and daughters Patricia and Kathleen and their spouses and children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the family of Governor Jack M. Campbell.