HONORING SHARLENE SHOEMAKER FOR TWENTY-TWO YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Sharlene Shoemaker has been a loyal and dedicated employee of the legislative council service since 1979; and

WHEREAS, Sharlene was hired mid-session to replace another drafter who left abruptly -- rumor had it, two steps ahead of the authorities; and

WHEREAS, she at first resisted, but eventually exchanged her speedy electric IBM and sharp No. 2 pencil for a personal computer, all the while continuing to harbor a deep distrust of "those" machines; and

WHEREAS, Sharlene embodies the philosophy of the legislative council service staff in her service to the legislature, as illustrated by her willingness to transform an idea from its beginning, rough and often unworkable form into a well-crafted piece of legislation ready for consideration and intense scrutiny by New Mexico's legislative body; and

WHEREAS, following in Gloria Trujillo's footsteps, she served as the quiet "right" and "left" hands of Representatives Jerry Sandel, Don Whitaker and Ben Lujan and Senators Eddie Lopez and Carlos Cisneros, and all the members of the countless interim tax committees; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure, Sharlene became an expert on a myriad of issues, most specifically finance and tax policy, and she was instrumental in reforming the capital outlay process in the legislature; and

WHEREAS, Sharlene epitomizes the professionalism that is the sine qua non of legislative staff services; and

WHEREAS, upon retiring, and after years of patiently waiting, Sharlene's family and friends will finally be able to share precious time with her; and

WHEREAS, when Sharlene retires, she takes with her the respect and admiration of the legislators, her co-workers and other professionals; and

WHEREAS, Sharlene Shoemaker, a firm believer that her role and that of other nonpartisan staff at the roundhouse should remain "behind-the-scenes", would certainly eschew the idea that her retirement would be memorialized, but will have to accept that this is one action that she simply cannot control;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Sharlene Shoemaker be honored for her innumerable professional contributions to the legislature and citizens of the state of New Mexico, for her relentless pursuit of excellence, for her commitment and for years of dedicated public service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Sharlene Shoemaker, a loyal and devoted long-time employee of the legislative council service who will be missed by all.