SENATE MEMORIAL 61

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Richard C. Martinez

A MEMORIAL

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF EMILIO NARANJO AND EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE SENATE UPON HIS PASSING.

     WHEREAS, Emilio Naranjo died November 13, 2008 at the age of ninety-two; and

     WHEREAS, he was born on April 21, 1916 in Guachupangue, New Mexico, to Alejandrino and Delfina Naranjo and remained a resident of Espanola for the rest of his life; and

     WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ramon, Gilberto, Daniel and Nicholas; his sister, Lupe; his son, Gerald Naranjo; his grandson, Benny Naranjo, Jr.; and his granddaughter, Judy Naranjo; and

     WHEREAS, he is survived by his sons, Emilio, Benny, Barney, Larry, Raul, Joseph and David; his daughters, Lorraine Lopez, Jeanette Salazar, Susie Salazar, Beverly Parmer and Cecilia, Anna and Marguerite Naranjo; thirty-eight grandchildren; forty-one great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many other loving friends and family members; and

     WHEREAS, Emilio Naranjo served in the New Mexico senate for eighteen years from 1977 to 1978 and from 1980 to 1996, serving as vice chair of the Indian affairs and public affairs committees, and as a member of numerous other standing and interim legislative committees; and

     WHEREAS, he served his community as county sheriff for five years, and served as a United States marshal, appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson, from 1965 to 1968; and

     WHEREAS, he was the county manager of Rio Arriba county in 1978; and

     WHEREAS, Emilio Naranjo started the young democrats of Rio Arriba county in 1942, and a decade later served as the chair of the Rio Arriba democratic party, a position he held for over forty years, building it into a powerful political force; and

     WHEREAS, he was generous with his time and money and became a mentor to generations of aspiring Rio Arriba county politicians, schooling them in the political peculiarities of northern New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, in his last major political appearance, Emilio Naranjo, a longtime supporter of the Kennedy's, introduced United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy as a "personal friend" at a rally for presidential candidate, John Kerry; and

     WHEREAS, he became famous for his quote "Signs don't vote"; and

     WHEREAS, he was always available to help those in need to solve their problems; and

     WHEREAS, his influence and guidance have made a long-lasting impact on the political climate of the state; and

     WHEREAS, his contribution to the character and personality of Rio Arriba county will never be forgotten;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that heartfelt condolences be extended to the family of Emilio Naranjo, a loving and caring New Mexican; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the surviving sons and daughters of Emilio Naranjo.

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