45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2001

CONDEMNING ACTS OF RACIAL VIOLENCE UPON CITIZENS AND GUESTS IN NEW MEXICO IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON UNITED STATES TERRITORY ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, the United States of America was the target of the worst terrorist attack in its history; and

WHEREAS, this attack was promoted by parties opposed to free expression and free association and who are consumed with ignorance and hatred; and

WHEREAS, the United States was founded upon and continues to embody the self-evident truth that all people are manifest equal in the eyes of the Creator; and

WHEREAS, the United States has in large measure derived its unprecedented strength from the diversity of its peoples and from the invigoration of immigrants possessed of a spiritual fire to be free and to achieve their potential in a society that is not only tolerant of but embraces and protects their faiths, traditions and talents; and

WHEREAS, just as the world has shared in the triumphs of the United States, so now it also shares in its sorrow with over forty other nations having lost citizens in the events of September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, in the aftermath of this terrorist attack there have been reports of United States citizens assaulting other United States citizens and guests, based solely on their race, in anger over the events; and

WHEREAS, these assaults, having no basis other than race, have no place in a free and open society and, like the terrorist attacks, are not attributable to justifiable anger but rather to ignorance and hatred, which are both blind and without justification; and

WHEREAS, the true nature of the American people has been demonstrated by their overwhelming ability to unite across all ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious, political and other lines in the face of adversity and to condemn those who would foster fear and hatred where love and unity must prevail;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that such racial assaults upon United States citizens and guests be unequivocally condemned and that they cease immediately; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such assaults and related heinous acts be prosecuted to the full extent of the law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the state attorney general, to each district attorney and to the heads of law enforcement agencies in each political subdivision of the state.