HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 74

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING AN INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE TO STUDY WAYS TO ADDRESS THE POVERTY-RELATED PROBLEMS OF NEW MEXICO AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

     WHEREAS, thirty-three percent of African-American children in New Mexico live below the federal poverty level; and

     WHEREAS, the mortality rate for African-American infants in New Mexico is more than twice as high as for other infants in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, African-American mothers work longer hours for less pay than all other mothers in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, African-American children are dramatically overrepresented in the New Mexico juvenile justice and foster care systems;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that an interagency committee, consisting of the secretary of children, youth and families, the director of the office of African American affairs, the secretary of health, the secretary of human services, the secretary of public education and the secretary of aging and long-term services, study the policies and procedures that are in place to address poverty among the African-American residents of New Mexico, the adequacy of these policies and procedures and the adequacy of early childhood, health and educational services for African-American children; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interagency committee work with New Mexico community organizations having an interest in the well-being of African-Americans, particularly African-American children, in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interagency committee develop recommendations, with a commitment to funding, for program and policy development and present these recommendations, with a recommendation for needed appropriations, to the legislative education study committee, the legislative health and human services committee and the welfare reform oversight committee prior to December 1, 2006; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of children, youth and families, the director of the office of African American affairs, the secretary of health, the secretary of human services, the secretary of public education and the secretary of aging and long-term services.

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