PROCLAIMING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2001 TO BE "ESPANOLA VALLEY DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, the Espanola valley is located in both Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties; and

WHEREAS, the Espanola valley includes the Pueblos of Santa Clara and San Juan and has a long and vigorous tricultural history; and

WHEREAS, 1998 marked the four-hundredth anniversary of Hispanic influence in the Espanola valley, commencing in 1598 with the first settlement in Nuevo Mexico in the vicinity of the Pueblo of San Juan; and

WHEREAS, the opening of the trade route known as El Camino Real, stretching from deep in Mexico to the Pueblo of San Juan, occurred with the arrival of the first Spanish settlers in the Espanola valley; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico became a state in 1912 and the capital of the state has been in Santa Fe; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature meets in Santa Fe, and the New Mexico legislature has promoted, enriched and supported the education, culture and economy of the Espanola valley; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature continues to support improvement of the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of New Mexico and the varied culture and unique character of the Espanola valley;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Friday, February 23, 2001 be declared "Espanola Valley Day" at the legislature.