REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO DESIGNATE THE NEXT VIRGINIA-CLASS NUCLEAR POWERED ATTACK SUBMARINE THE "U.S.S. NEW MEXICO".

WHEREAS, New Mexico has a long history of contributing to the defense of the United States through the service of men and women in combat and the development of defense technologies; and

WHEREAS, this history includes the Battle of Glorieta Pass, which turned the tide in favor of the Union's effort during the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, three hundred fifty-eight New Mexicans made up the largest contingent to serve in the volunteer rough riders military unit under the command of Theodore Roosevelt in the Spanish-American War; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, Navajo code talkers from New Mexico protected vital military information by transmitting coded messages in their native language that enemy listeners could not crack; and

WHEREAS, one thousand eight hundred New Mexicans in the 200th and 515th coast artillery units courageously fought in the Philippines during World War II and, after being captured, were forced to march up the Bataan peninsula for ten days with no food and little water, and fewer than nine hundred returned home after surviving the Bataan death march; and

WHEREAS, the scientists of Los Alamos dedicated themselves to ending World War II by developing and testing the atomic bomb, which brought an immediate end to the war; and

WHEREAS, through the department of energy laboratories in Los Alamos and Albuquerque, New Mexico remains a leader in developing twenty-first century technologies that will improve the quality of life of its citizens and provide for a strong defense against aggressors; and

WHEREAS, the people of New Mexico have supported the nation's military engagements designed to keep peace around the world through the service of its men and women stationed at Cannon air force base, Holloman air force base, Kirtland air force base and White Sands missile range; and

WHEREAS, many submariners of New Mexico gave their lives in the Pacific theater during World War II and many other New Mexicans have served with pride and honor in the United States naval submarine force; and

WHEREAS, naming the next Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine the U.S.S. New Mexico will honor the sacrifices made by many brave New Mexicans in fighting for their country and acknowledge the continuing commitment of New Mexicans to the protection of our basic freedoms and the safety and security of our homeland;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States secretary of the navy be requested to designate the next Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine the "U.S.S. New Mexico"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the United States secretary of the navy and the New Mexico congressional delegation.