46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JOSEFINA GAMBOA BIEL EMERSON.

WHEREAS, Josefina Gamboa Biel Emerson, a resident of Dona Ana county, became well-known for her generous hospitality to residents and tourists and for the traditions she founded and fostered, including the luminaria tradition in Mesilla Plaza; and

WHEREAS, Josefina was the keeper of "Josefina's Gate", the adobe gate that marked the entrance to her magnificent home; and

WHEREAS, she would often offer cuttings from her front yard to tourists who stopped to admire the gate; and

WHEREAS, "Josefina's Gate" was the subject of numerous artistic photographs and paintings and was featured in the magazines Bon Appetit and New Mexico Magazine; and

WHEREAS, Josefina, who died on October 30, 2001, outlived husbands George M. Biel and David Emerson and at the time of her death had five children, fifteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Josefina Gamboa Biel Emerson be remembered for her wonderful contributions to the people of Dona Ana county; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be delivered to the family of Josefina Gamboa Biel Emerson.