SENATE MEMORIAL 17

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

INTRODUCED BY

Manny M. Aragon

A MEMORIAL

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCE TO MR. WILLARD HOPPES AND FAMILY ON THE DEATH OF ALICE FAYE KENT HOPPES.

     WHEREAS, Alice Faye Kent Hoppes was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on May 20, 1939, the second of four children of the late Harold and Bessie Kent; and

     WHEREAS, Alice's parents instilled in their children the ideals of hard work, honesty and independence; and

     WHEREAS, Faye, as she was known then, grew up in a segregated society and attended the segregated school established for the small black population of Tucumcari; and

     WHEREAS, when she graduated from the then-recently integrated Tucumcari high school, she was the only African American in her class; and

     WHEREAS, the indignities of discrimination made Alice Faye Kent Hoppes a vocal advocate for civil rights, and, after moving with her family to Albuquerque, she became even more involved in the quest to provide a voice to black citizens throughout New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, she began her work with the national association for the advancement of colored people in 1975 as chairwoman of the youth committee, was elected president of the New Mexico chapter in 1984 and served in this position for twelve years, and she served two terms as president of the Albuquerque chapter of the national council of Negro women; and

     WHEREAS, Alice dedicated her life to the fight against injustice, particularly racial injustice, and her leadership was evident in the many honors she received, including the 2000 Martin Luther King, Jr., freedom award from the national association for the advancement of colored people, the Albuquerque human rights award and outstanding black women from the commission on the status of women; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Hoppes was instrumental in the creation of the African-American village at the state fair; African-American Day at the legislature; the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday and commission; and the office on African American affairs, for which she was serving as director at the time of her death; and

     WHEREAS, Alice Hoppes died October 21, 2003, after a valiant battle with cancer, and she is survived by her husband, Willard; four daughters, Ladonna Hall-Gamble, Toia Morgan, Diedra Faulkner and Linda Hoppes; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, many public officials, including past and present governors, legislators, mayors and others, will eulogize the life of Alice Faye Kent Hoppes, but it is the recognition in the hearts of ordinary people whose lives have been made better by her tireless efforts that will ennoble the life of Alice Hoppes;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that its heartfelt sympathy and condolences be extended to the family and friends of Alice Faye Kent Hoppes.

- 3 -