HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 2

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

INTRODUCED BY

Roberto J. Gonzales

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZE NEW MEXICO FIREFIGHTERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES EN ROUTE TO FIGHT THE CALIFORNIA FIRES, THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN CALIFORNIA, THOSE WHO WILL BE DEPLOYED TO CALIFORNIA AND THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY FIGHTING FIRES IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, Carl Dolbeare and John Aartardo of the primary tanker crew of the Lincoln fire zone died in a crash en route to California as a result of treacherous weather on October 3, 2003; and

     WHEREAS, approximately one hundred sixty New Mexico firefighters and support personnel are currently in California fighting the wildfires and training the United States marines from Camp Pendleton who are being deployed to the fire lines; and

     WHEREAS, hundreds of other New Mexicans are expected to be called to battle the California blazes; and

     WHEREAS, over one thousand New Mexico firefighters are currently fighting the fires in the Lincoln national forest in southern New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that all of these New Mexico firefighters and support personnel be recognized for their brave and honorable service to New Mexico and the United States; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be sent to the New Mexico fire zones in Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque and the Gila and Lincoln national forests.

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