A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 7, 2005 TO BE "GALLUP-MCKINLEY DAY" AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, the city of Gallup and McKinley county are the northwestern gateway to New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Gallup and McKinley county reflect the rich cultural, recreational and economic diversity of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Gallup is the home of the Gallup national historic district and the Navajo codetalker museum; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Gallup is a center of commerce for the members of the Navajo Nation and has been a corridor for cross-country rail traffic since the nineteenth century; and

     WHEREAS, McKinley county has the greatest number of Native American residents of any New Mexico county and is the home of many of the members of the Navajo Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni who reside in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, McKinley county is the home of Red Rock state park and Red Rock museum and of one of the largest gatherings of Native Americans, the annual inter-tribal Indian ceremonial; and

     WHEREAS, McKinley county incorporates the Continental Divide, which separates the watersheds of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 7, 2005 be designated as "Gallup-McKinley Day" at the New Mexico house of representatives to honor and showcase the many facets of the city of Gallup and McKinley county; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the mayor and city council of the city of Gallup and to the board of county commissioners of McKinley county.