RECOGNIZING CLARA R. APODACA AND REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO PLACE A PLAQUE IN HER HONOR IN THE GOVERNOR'S ART GALLERY.

WHEREAS, Clara R. Apodaca, a native New Mexican born, raised and educated in the Las Cruces area, belongs to a prominent Hispanic family whose ancestry dates to before the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848; and

WHEREAS, Clara R. Apodaca, as the first lady of New Mexico from 1975 to 1978, felt that our tricultural heritage and art should be made available and accessible to all New Mexicans; and

WHEREAS, by establishing the governor's art gallery on the fourth floor of the capitol in April 1975, she clearly demonstrated a commitment to support and encourage this unique resource of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, in an attempt to promote other facets of New Mexico's art world, Clara R. Apodaca scheduled "brown bag" recitals in the capitol rotunda that encompassed everything from jazz to opera, chamber music to bluegrass, ballet to flamenco and musical theater; and

WHEREAS, as the first lady of New Mexico, she was a dedicated community leader who served on the advisory council for the Santa Fe festival of the arts, was a member of the women's board of the museum of New Mexico, served as state chairman for the American cancer society and founded the "First Lady's Day for the Physically Challenged" at the state fair in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Clara R. Apodaca served as the state cultural affairs officer under Governor Toney Anaya's administration, directing the opening of the natural history museum in Albuquerque; and

WHEREAS, Clara R. Apodaca served with distinction in the federal government in Washington, D.C. in the Clinton administration and as general assistant to the chairman of the democratic national committee; and

WHEREAS, Clara R. Apodaca is on the board of directors of the Hitachi foundation, Hispanics in philanthropy, the Washington performing arts society, the Jeff Apodaca celebration of life foundation and the White House millennium commission;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recognition be extended to Clara R. Apodaca, a loving and devoted mother of five and grandmother of six, for her distinguished career and leadership across New Mexico and our nation in promoting culture and the arts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to place a plaque at the governor's art gallery in recognition of its founder, Clara R. Apodaca; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to Clara R. Apodaca, to the governor and to the office of cultural affairs.