A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO GIVE FIRST PRIORITY TO SUPPORTING AND PASSING THE FEDERAL DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL.

     WHEREAS, the security of the nation and people is the first and foremost obligation of the United States federal government; and

     WHEREAS, the men and women of the United States armed forces now serving in the army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, merchant marines, national guard and reserves have shown great courage and self-sacrifice and deserve to be equipped with the best weapons and resources to protect the nation; and

     WHEREAS, in past years politicians have delayed passing the defense appropriations bill until late in the budget year with the result that the bill was misused as a dumping ground for pork barrel spending and as a political hostage to pork barrel spending in other appropriations bills; and

     WHEREAS, in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 on America, President George W. Bush asked that the congress of the United States pass the defense appropriations bill before passing other spending bills; and

     WHEREAS, congress acted responsibly in the 2002, 2003 and 2004 budgets when it passed the defense appropriations bill first, thereby protecting the men and women in the armed forces from becoming pawns for politicians' spending maneuvers;  

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state's congressional delegation be requested to support passage of the defense appropriations bill before passing other spending bills; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.