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.