SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 64

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

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy Z. Jennings

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE ROSWELL BRANCH OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY DESIGNATE A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THE COORDINATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES, NATIONAL LABORATORIES AND OTHER FEDERAL RESEARCH AGENCIES LOCATED IN NEW MEXICO FOR THE CREATION OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTERS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.

     WHEREAS, rural New Mexico, which has been historically dominated by traditional rural and agricultural enterprises, now finds itself in transition because of global and technological forces; and

     WHEREAS, transition in the rural areas of New Mexico includes the changing demography of rural communities, agriculture in transition, land and water issues, education and workforce issues, the need for diversified and value-added industry, quality of life issues, health care quality and access and rapidly changing technology; and

     WHEREAS, these changes have created a significant gap between the resources and the needs of New Mexico's rural communities; and

     WHEREAS, the rural communities struggle with these changes as they work to recruit, expand or retain businesses; and

     WHEREAS, most of the rural communities also require technical support for planning and development, even as New Mexico leads the world in technology development through its two national laboratories and several national research centers; and

     WHEREAS, if New Mexico is to resolve these dichotomies, it must develop an effective method of applying its technological assets to the business and workforces of its rural communities, and New Mexico's rural community colleges are in the best position to do that;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the Roswell branch of eastern New Mexico university:

          A. designate a task force to address the coordination of community colleges, national laboratories and other federal research agencies located in New Mexico for the creation of technology transfer centers and workforce development centers;

           B. develop recommendations for regional approaches and potential pilot projects; and

            C. report its findings to the economic and rural development and telecommunications committee during the 2004 interim; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of economic development and the board of regents of eastern New Mexico university.

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