SENATE BILL 953

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph J. Carraro

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS; CHANGING THE STATE MOTTO TO "ANTIQUA SUSPICE, CRASTINA ACCIPE", WHICH MEANS "RESPECT THE PAST, EMBRACE THE FUTURE".

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 12-3-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1887, Chapter 70, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

     "12-3-1. STATE SEAL--DESIGN.--[SEC. 108.] The coat of arms of the state shall be the Mexican eagle grasping a serpent in its beak, the cactus in its talons, shielded by the American eagle with outspread wings and grasping arrows in its talons; the date 1912 under the eagles and, on a scroll, the motto, ["crescit eundo"] "antiqua suspice, crastina accipe". The great seal of the state shall be a disc bearing the coat of arms and having around the edge the words "Great Seal of the State of New Mexico"."

     Section 2. TEMPORARY PROVISION--PROVIDING FOR PHASE-IN.--Implementation of the state motto shall be phased in over five years to allow for alterations to fixtures and materials that incorporate the state seal, coat of arms or state motto.

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