A
JOINT MEMORIAL
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.