HONORING REPRESENTATIVE NICK L. SALAZAR FOR HIS DEDICATION AND PUBLIC SERVICE TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, Representative Nick L. Salazar has served the citizens of his district and his state in the house of representatives for thirty years; and

WHEREAS, Representative Salazar is committed to ensuring that long-term care services are available for senior citizens, particularly in-home services that provide age-in-place support with dignity and respect; and

WHEREAS, Representative Salazar is dedicated to ensuring that the state focus on appropriate funding to serve senior citizens and support small nonprofit providers; and

WHEREAS, Representative Salazar understands firsthand, through his own parents and the care they required before their passing, the needs of ailing senior citizens and the assistance required not only of family and friends but of community support services and programs; and

WHEREAS, Representative Salazar was the first recipient of the Nick Salazar seniors' advocate of the year award that was created in his honor by the state agency on aging and was presented to him at the twenty-fourth annual state conference on aging in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Representative Salazar has been the recipient of countless awards from senior citizen groups, community organizations and state and local associations for his commitment to public service; and

WHEREAS, Representative Salazar is the chairman of the board of the north central New Mexico economic development district that includes the designated area agency on aging representing twenty-one of the state's thirty-three counties; and

WHEREAS, Representative Salazar has diligently worked for economic development, science and technology initiatives and capital outlay projects that benefit all New Mexicans; and

WHEREAS, Representative Salazar has truly earned the respect of his peers as a champion of senior citizens;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it recognize and congratulate Representative Nick L. Salazar for his undying devotion and commitment to senior citizens; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Representative Nick L. Salazar.