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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES

TO PARTNER WITH WINGS OF AMERICA DURING THIS "YEAR OF THE

CHILD".

WHEREAS, the nonprofit organization, Wings of America,

has been in existence since 1988, serving over seventeen

thousand young men and women, and the organization's primary

mission is to use the sport of running as a catalyst for

empowering Native American youth to take pride in themselves

and their cultural identity; and

WHEREAS, the activity of running represents a cultural

and spiritual tradition of Native Americans and serves as the

court of living a strong, balanced, healthy and harmonious

life; and

WHEREAS, for almost twenty years, Wings of America has

been sponsoring youth running and fitness camps in Native

American communities and leadership and camp facilitator

trainings to instill the values of respect, discipline,

teamwork and leadership in Native American youth; and

WHEREAS, as a result of Wings of America's long-standing

efforts to improve the lives of Native American youth,

measurable results exist that demonstrate the effectiveness of

the organization's programs, such as the fact that ninety-four

percent of Wings of America students attend college, have a

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lower incidence of substance abuse and teenage pregnancy, are

more physically active and maintain a healthier lifestyle than

their peers in the larger Native American population; and

WHEREAS, numerous federal and state studies indicate

that Native Americans have higher rates of suicide, diabetes,

alcoholism and accidental death than any other ethnic group in

the nation; and

WHEREAS, Governor Bill Richardson has declared the year

2006 to be the "Year of the Child" and stated that his goal is

to offer a future "where every child can grow up healthy,

attend world-class schools, go to a good college, get a good-

paying job, and raise a family right here in New Mexico" and

that "physical activity and nutrition are also critical

elements to keeping New Mexico's children healthy and fit";

and

WHEREAS, the mission of Wings of America and its proven

results are consistent with the governor's goals for the "Year

of the Child";

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department

of health be requested to explore all opportunities to partner

with Wings of America in order to implement the various

initiatives of the "Year of the Child" to ensure that Native

American youth are included in any positive changes impacting

their futures and well-being; and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of health.