A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO WORK WITH THE EXECUTIVE ON THE REORGANIZATION
OF THE OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
WHEREAS, the museums and
monuments of New Mexico are the most important assets the state possesses, and
their collections, along with the collections of the state library and the work
of the historic preservation division, give form and dimension to New Mexico's
history and culture; and
WHEREAS, the legislature and
the executive have considered the organizational structure of the office of
cultural affairs several times, from several independent museums to the 1977
educational finance and cultural affairs department, and then to the creation
of the office of cultural affairs in 1980 and the 1989 proposed legislation for
a commission for cultural affairs to oversee the various boards of the museums
and other divisions of a cultural affairs department to the current governor's
desire to again spotlight cultural affairs by elevating the office to cabinet
department status; and
WHEREAS, given the importance of the office of
cultural affairs to New Mexico's history, culture, educational system and
economic development, it is incumbent upon the legislature to ensure its
participation in the office's reorganization;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative
council be requested to appoint a committee of three house members and three
senate members to work with the office of cultural affairs and the governor's
office on reorganization plans for the office; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
committee present its recommendations, including draft legislation, to the New
Mexico legislative council by December 1, 2003; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a
copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council.