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.171223.1
SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 7
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
SECOND SESSION
, 2008
INTRODUCED BY
Mary Kay Papen
A JOINT MEMORIAL
RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 4, 2008 TO BE "COLONIAS DAY" AND
REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND HIS CABINET TO ASSIST LOCAL EFFORTS
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN NEW MEXICO BY ADDING RURAL
COMMUNITIES AND COLONIAS TO THE STATE'S PRIORITY ACTION LIST OF
PROGRAMS AND WATER PROJECTS FOR LEGISLATIVE FUNDING.
WHEREAS, the board of directors of the New Mexico
association of counties comprises the elected officials who are
responsible for the health, welfare and safety of the residents
of New Mexico's thirty-three counties, and these board members
are asked to represent and address the needs of these
residents; and
WHEREAS, the administration of Governor Richardson is to
be commended for targeting statewide improvements in education,
water issues, infrastructure and economic development, and a
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.171223.1
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natural extension of those initiatives would be the addition of
infrastructure improvements for rural and colonias communities
to the statewide priority action list; and
WHEREAS, rural and colonias communities are sorely lacking
in infrastructure, accessibility, opportunities and sanitation
services, and by working together, the state and individual
counties could lift up these communities and provide better
futures for the children in the communities who will in turn
raise their own families on family properties, thereby making
meaningful progress toward enhancing the most basic of human
needs in these challenged communities; and
WHEREAS, residents of rural and colonias communities
statewide face harsh challenges on a daily basis, but they are
proud people who are reluctant to ask for help; and
WHEREAS, individual counties continue to undertake
independent and ambitious infrastructure improvement plans
designed to enhance social and economic development
opportunities for all residents of New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, by initiating a statewide improvement program for
rural and colonias communities, the state could partner with
the thirty-three counties to empower these small communities
and dramatically improve the quality of life in them, while
simultaneously creating new entrepreneurial zones that will
complement existing projects in incorporated municipalities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
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.171223.1
STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 4, 2008 be recognized as
"Colonias Day" in the legislature; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Governor Richardson and his
cabinet be requested to work with the board of directors of the
New Mexico association of counties to assist local efforts to
improve the quality of life in the state and to add
improvements for rural communities and colonias to the state's
priority action list of programs for legislative funding; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the governor and to the board of directors of
the New Mexico association of counties.
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