HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 24

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Ben Lujan

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO CREATE A COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO DETERMINE HOW THE STATE CAN ESTABLISH STATE VETERANS' CEMETERIES.

     WHEREAS, the national cemetery in Santa Fe is nearing capacity and increasing difficulty of expansion; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a large veteran population of over one hundred seventy thousand; and

     WHEREAS, it is incumbent on our society to honor and preserve customs that bind our people and thereby strengthen us; and

     WHEREAS, veterans of our armed services who fought in wars for the preservation of our liberty, freedom and strength will follow all living things and succumb to the inevitable peace of death; and

     WHEREAS, moral, health and legal necessities claim a final resting place for our warriors, a claim we all have on our fellows; and

     WHEREAS, there are several proposals currently being advanced and considered at the local, state and national levels; and

     WHEREAS, it is incumbent that we move in a direction that will best serve the needs of the state for more than the short term;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor be requested to create a commission to study the various proposals and recommend the best plan to establish new veterans' cemeteries in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission be made up of two members of the house of representatives, two members of the senate, the director of the New Mexico veterans' service commission, the commissioner of public lands, one representative of each of the New Mexico congressional offices and one member of the major veterans organizations in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission complete its task by December 1, 2004 and report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim committee of the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president pro tempore of the senate and the directory of the New Mexico veterans' service commission.

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