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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Jennings
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
2/1/08
HB
SHORT TITLE
Senator Ben D. Altamirano, In Memory
SM 19
ANALYST Shaya
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Memorial 19 honors the memory of Senator Ben D. Altamirano for his many years of
devoted service to the people of New Mexico; and that copies of this memorial are transmitted to
the family of Senator Altamirano.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
No Fiscal Impact.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
•
The passing of Senator Ben D. Altamirano marks the loss of a great and devoted public
servant; and
•
Senator Altamirano was born on October 17, 1930 in Silver City; and
•
He was married to his loving wife, Nina Melendrez, and was father to Yolanda, Ben Jr.,
and Paul; and
•
Senator Altamirano enlisted with the United States Army in 1946 and served with the
European Occupation Forces during World War II; and
•
Senator Altamirano dutifully represented District 28 in the New Mexico Senate from
1971 until his passing in late 2007 and served as president pro tempore from 2005; and
•
He served on numerous legislative committees and served as chair of the Senate Finance
Committee for seventeen years before being elected president pro tempore, whereupon he
became co-chair of the New Mexico Legislative Council; and
•
During Senator Altamirano's tenure, one hundred eighty-eight members have passed
through the senate chambers; and
•
Senator Altamirano played an influential role in the passage of key pieces of legislation,
including the ban on cockfighting bill and the minimum wage bill; and
•
In describing Senator Altamirano's style, Governor Bill Richardson said, "Benny was a
true statesman whose soft-spoken demeanor and love for New Mexico helped earn him