REQUESTING THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION TO DESIGNATE UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 70 FROM LAS CRUCES TO ALAMOGORDO AS BATAAN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY.

WHEREAS, many soldiers who were forced to make the Bataan death march in the Philippines in 1942 made the supreme sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, many of the survivors have suffered grievously, and their sacrifice should be remembered by future generations; and

WHEREAS, the designation of United States highway 70 from Las Cruces to Alamogordo is a way to pay lasting tribute to the Bataan marchers for their valor and devotion to freedom; and

WHEREAS, the state highway commission has a procedure for giving highways honorary names to recognize important achievements;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway commission be requested to designate United States highway 70 between Las Cruces and Alamogordo as "Bataan Veterans Memorial Highway"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state highway commissioners and the secretary of highway and transportation.