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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Aragon		DATE TYPED:	02/11/02		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Teach History of Bataan Death March				SB	SJM 91
					ANALYST:		Woodlee

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SJM 82

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA)

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 91 requests the State Department of Public Education to develop and require inclusion of a detailed chapter of the artillerymen of the 200^th coast artillery and the 515^th anti-aircraft battalions of the New Mexico National Guard Service in the Philippines in 1941 and 1942, including the infamous Bataan Death March and the subsequent years of honorable service while imprisoned, in all New Mexico public school history courses. The joint memorial further resolves that the material be produced within the next year and reviewed for accuracy by living veterans of that service. Additionally, the joint memorial calls for New Mexico school children to participate in ceremonies honoring New Mexico’s veterans, especially those of the Bataan Death March.

Significant Issues

The Office of Cultural Affairs indicates that the Bataan Death March is commemorated each year at an event known as the "Bataan Memorial Death March" held annually at White Sands Missile Range "in memory of the brave soldiers who fought so gallantly in defense of the Philippine Islands in World War II." This event is said to be the country's largest military memorial march.

In addition, SDE indicates that the development of instructional materials and curriculum has not been the responsibility of the State Department of Public Education. However, the department is in the process of developing a website to support standards-based instruction in New Mexico schools. This web site will contain resources and instructional aids to assist classrooms teachers and students to understand the role of New Mexicans in WWII, including the Bataan Death March. WWII veterans will have the opportunity to review and contribute to this valuable resource.

The standards-based website will include an interactive feature that will allow teachers to submit units based on the standards. The department’s Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Technologies staff will solicit specific units and resources to meet the intent of this memorial.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There is no appropriation or significant fiscal implication associated with this joint memorial.

DUPLICATION

Senate Joint Memorial 91 duplicates Senate Joint Memorial 82.

MW/ar