HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 65

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

INTRODUCED BY

Rick Miera

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND EXECUTIVE AGENCIES TO MAKE "KIDS — NEW MEXICO'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY".

     WHEREAS, children are the most precious resource and represent the future of the state; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico continues to be in the bottom tier of states on several national statistics that rate state performance on child welfare issues, including high rates of teen pregnancy, child mortality and morbidity, children living in poverty and school dropouts; and

     WHEREAS, state and local policymakers need to continue to redouble their efforts toward improving New Mexico's ranking among the states in child welfare and to do more to raise the consciousness of New Mexico citizens as to the plight of children in the state; and

     WHEREAS, policymakers should be constantly aware of how their decisions affect New Mexico children and families; and

     WHEREAS, every department of state government has a major contribution to make toward the improvement of children's lives;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislature and the executive dedicate themselves to working together to ensure that state policies consider the effect on New Mexico's families and children; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor request his cabinet to make "Kids — New Mexico's Number One Priority" in 2004 and focus on ways to improve the lives of New Mexico's children; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the governor.

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