SENATE MEMORIAL 25

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald P. Ortiz y Pino

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENTS OF DEFENSE AND ENERGY TO DISMANTLE NUCLEAR WEAPONS AT KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE.

     WHEREAS, major events such as the shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003 and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 have taken place that, after investigation, revealed great lapses in safety and precautionary measures; and

     WHEREAS, Albuquerque is reported in professional publications and local newspapers to be the home of the largest concentration of nuclear munitions anywhere in the world; and

     WHEREAS, newspapers have reported special tests and training exercises conducted at Kirtland air force base, simulating accidents in which nuclear materials have been dispersed in a subcritical nature; and

     WHEREAS, the damage to Albuquerque's local economy and civic life will be extensive if there is an accident involving the nuclear munitions stored at Kirtland air force base;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States departments of defense and energy be requested to dismantle and remove from Albuquerque the weapons of mass destruction stored at Kirtland air force base; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of the United States departments of defense and energy and to the members of New Mexico's congressional delegation.

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