A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE SMOKEY BEAR FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGE AND SUPPORTING THE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS OF THE FRIENDS OF SMOKEY BEAR BALLOON, INCORPORATED, TO PURCHASE A NEW SMOKEY BEAR HOT AIR BALLOON.

     WHEREAS, in 1944, the United States department of agriculture forest service, the national association of state foresters and the national ad council proclaimed Smokey Bear as the national symbol of the campaign to prevent human-caused wildfire; and

     WHEREAS, in 1950, a small bear cub was rescued from a fire in the Lincoln national forest near Capitan, New Mexico, and became the real-life Smokey Bear; and

     WHEREAS, Smokey Bear enlists everyone's help to protect all forests and wildlands from human-caused wildfires, which harm the environment, needlessly take lives and destroy homes, natural habitats and livelihoods; and

     WHEREAS, in 1993, the friends of Smokey Bear balloon, incorporated, a volunteer nonprofit organization, created the Smokey Bear hot air balloon and began its mission to keep Smokey Bear and his fire prevention message on the minds of all people playing and working on America's public lands; and

     WHEREAS, during its eleven years of service, the Smokey Bear balloon traveled across the United States, Canada and the Netherlands promoting the message of wildfire prevention; and

     WHEREAS, the balloon suffered a tragic accident at the 2004 Albuquerque international balloon fiesta and was destroyed; and

     WHEREAS, the friends of Smokey Bear balloon, incorporated, will replace the Smokey Bear balloon with the assistance of gracious donations from supporters, including Citadel radio group, whose tower was damaged in the accident;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that 2005 be recognized as the sixtieth anniversary celebration of the Smokey Bear fire prevention message and the one-hundredth anniversary of the founding of the United States forest service and that all residents of New Mexico be urged to support the friends of Smokey Bear balloon, incorporated, in its efforts to raise funds for a new Smokey Bear hot air balloon; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the friends of the Smokey Bear balloon, incorporated.