A
MEMORIAL
HONORING THE NATIONS, TRIBES AND
PUEBLOS OF NEW MEXICO BY RECOGNIZING THE RIGHT OF TRIBES TO BE SELF-GOVERNING
AND URGING CONTINUED GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT COOPERATION FOR THE HEALTH,
SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE TRIBAL AND NONTRIBAL CITIZENS OF NEW MEXICO.
WHEREAS, New Mexico's nations,
tribes and pueblos are centuries-old communities that established and continue
to employ well-organized tribal self-governing systems; and
WHEREAS, the existence and
significance of Indian self-government and tribal sovereignty over tribal
homelands was acknowledged in New Mexico from the outset of European contact as
evidenced by the early Spanish land grants, the recognition of civil and
political rights by the independent government of Mexico, the United States in
the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and by the state in its Enabling Act of
1910; and
WHEREAS, the state has
continued to recognize and respect the sovereign tribal governments of New
Mexico through many state laws that encourage the use of cooperative agreements
that authorize and encourage the legislative, executive and judicial branches
of the New Mexico government to coordinate and work cooperatively with the
nations, tribes and pueblos of New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, the legislature
celebrates and honors the governments, leadership and contributions of the
nations, tribes and pueblos of New Mexico through an annual recognition day known as "American Indian Day",
occurring this year on February 4, 2003; and
WHEREAS, the governor is in the
process of executing agreements reaffirming government-to-government
relationships between the state and the nations, tribes and pueblos of New
Mexico;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it salute and
honor the nations, tribes and pueblos of New Mexico by reaffirming its
recognition of their status as sovereign governments and the legislature's
commitment to interact with the nations, tribes and pueblos on a government-to-government
basis so as to promote intergovernmental cooperation, coordination and
communication on all matters; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
New Mexico congressional delegation be encouraged to support and reaffirm the
government-to-government relationship between states and tribes and the
fundamental principle that Indian nations, tribes and pueblos retain their
inherent rights over their tribal lands except as provided by congress in an
act of law or by the ratification of a treaty; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
house of representatives express its high regard for the pueblos, nations and
tribes of New Mexico and all they have done to strengthen community through
their willingness to work cooperatively with the state in many areas such as
taxation, tourism, environmental protection, social services delivery, health,
education, gaming and public safety; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
copies of this memorial be transmitted to each of the nations, tribes and
pueblos of New Mexico, the president of the United States, the New Mexico
congressional delegation, the president and president pro tempore of the United
States senate, the speaker of the United States house of representatives and
the New Mexico legislative council.