SENATE MEMORIAL 1

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

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF FORMER STATE SENATOR RAY LEGER.

     WHEREAS, Ray Leger, a resident of Las Vegas, New Mexico, passed away on October 14, 2009 at the age of eighty-four; and

     WHEREAS, Ray was born on January 6, 1925, the eleventh of fourteen children, to Francisco and Isabel Leger, a ranching and farming family; and

     WHEREAS, Ray proudly and honorably served his country in the United States Army at the end of World War II; and

     WHEREAS, Ray attended New Mexico Highlands University on the G.I. bill, where he was on the dean's list and listed in Who's Who Among American Universities and Colleges, and where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees; and

     WHEREAS, Ray had a long career in education throughout northern New Mexico and became the longest-serving superintendent of schools for the West Las Vegas Public School District, overseeing the construction of modern facilities and obtaining a significant increase in federal funding and programs in mathematics and the sciences; and

     WHEREAS, Ray, through the United States State Department, spent a year sharing his knowledge on education administration with the Costa Rican Ministry of Education; and

     WHEREAS, Ray was very active in his community and served as a New Mexico state senator from 1973 to 1980; and

     WHEREAS, Ray used the political process to improve the quality of life of individuals; and

     WHEREAS, Ray's legislative legacy in education and health still beneficially impacts New Mexicans today; and

     WHEREAS, Ray championed the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act in 1973, which still forms the foundation for multicultural education in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Ray's life, which was dedicated to family, politics and public service, is worth recognizing and celebrating;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the life and contributions of Ray Leger be recognized; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that condolences be extended to the family and friends of Ray Leger; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the family of Ray Leger.

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