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A JOINT MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW

MEXICO CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT CENTER.

WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature established the

university of New Mexico school of medicine in 1964 to provide

critically needed health care services and to improve the

lives of New Mexicans; and

WHEREAS, in order to best serve the underserved

multiethnic populations of New Mexico and to address the

significant cancer health disparities in the state and region,

the New Mexico legislature established the university of New

Mexico cancer research and treatment center at the university

of New Mexico school of medicine on April 8, 1971 as New

Mexico's official cancer center; and

WHEREAS, from 1986 to 2005, the New Mexico legislature

passed several laws and acts that have provided significant

recurring and nonrecurring funds to provide for the

development of the center's programs in cancer research,

statewide outreach for cancer education, screening, prevention

and treatment, for the recruitment of cancer scientists and

physicians, for equipment and for the construction of research

and treatment facilities; and

WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico cancer research

and treatment center is the state's largest team of cancer

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specialists, with sixty-two cancer physicians and ninety

research scientists dedicated to discovering the causes of

cancer and preventing and treating cancer in all New Mexicans;

and

WHEREAS, the physicians and research scientists provide

care to over three thousand newly diagnosed cancer patients

annually, over fifty percent of whom are ethnic minorities

representing over forty percent of the adults and over ninety

percent of the New Mexican children diagnosed with cancer each

year; and

WHEREAS, the goals of the university of New Mexico

cancer research and treatment center, reflective of the needs

of the state, are to:

A. conduct outstanding cancer research that builds

on unique institutional and regional scientific strengths and

collaboration;

B. reduce cancer incidence and mortality by

discovering the genetic, environmental, social and behavioral

factors that contribute to the distinct cancer patterns in the

multiethnic populations of New Mexico;

C. reduce cancer health disparities in the

underserved populations of New Mexico through collaborative

community networks with the department of health; New Mexico's

pueblos, tribes and American Indian nations; the Indian health

service and local communities by developing culturally

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appropriate cancer education, screening and prevention

programs; and

D. provide outstanding cancer treatment for all

New Mexicans by improving access to quality cancer care and

innovative therapies through development of programs at the

university of New Mexico and formal affiliations and

partnerships statewide with community cancer care providers

and health systems; and

WHEREAS, in September 2005, the national cancer

institute designated the university of New Mexico cancer

research and treatment center as the nation's newest national

cancer institute-designated cancer center, joining the ranks

of the sixty-one best cancer treatment and research centers in

the United States and providing increased federal funding to

New Mexico for cancer programs, ensuring that all New Mexicans

can access state-of-the-art treatment and benefit from the

fruits of cancer research here in their home state;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the university of New Mexico cancer

research and treatment center be commended on receiving the

national cancer institute's designation as a regional

comprehensive cancer center; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

sent to the board of regents of the university of New Mexico

and the director of the national cancer institute.