HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 62

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Rhonda S. King

A JOINT MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE LIFE AND MANY LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS OF BRUCE KING TO THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, Bruce King, the beloved former governor, was born on April 6, 1924 to Mollie S. and William S. King near Stanley, New Mexico, and died on Friday, November 13, 2009, at the age of eighty-five; and

     WHEREAS, he graduated from Stanley high school and attended the university of New Mexico where he played Lobo football; and

     WHEREAS, he served his country in the United States army in field artillery during World War II; and

     WHEREAS, upon returning home, he met and later married his lifelong partner, Alice Marie Martin, on June 1, 1947 at the Baptist church in Moriarty, New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, after mustering out of the army in 1946, Bruce and his brothers began their ranching legacy, working with their parents to build the W.S. King and sons ranch which ultimately became the King brothers ranch; and

     WHEREAS, on the ranch, Bruce handled the cattle, his older brother, Sam, took care of the farming, and his younger brother, Don, ran the trucking operations; and

     WHEREAS, before becoming governor, Bruce served in several significant political positions, including as a Santa Fe county commissioner, as a member of the house of representatives and, for three terms, as speaker of the house of representatives, a position he always considered one of his favorites; and

     WHEREAS, following his service in the legislature, he was elected to the state's second constitutional convention and was chosen to serve as the president of the convention; and

     WHEREAS, Bruce often mentioned that as a youngster he was inspired by Governor Clyde Tingley, who visited his school in Stanley, to consider a career in politics, and as an adult he was persuaded by his wife, Alice, and his brothers to run for governor; and

     WHEREAS, after his first successful run for governor, in 1970, Bruce King served three non-consecutive terms from 1971 to 1974, from 1979 to 1982 and from 1991 to 1994, making him the state's longest-serving governor, who guided New Mexico through the better part of four decades; and

     WHEREAS, his leadership and style as governor will be unequaled for a long time to come, and he will be remembered especially for his cowboy straightforwardness and his approachability; and

     WHEREAS, Governor King was the catalyst for policy reforms that endure to this day, including the creation of cabinet departments dedicated to protecting children and the environment, the enactment of legislation equalizing school funding and the professionalism of state government's core work force; and

     WHEREAS, Bruce viewed holding public office, whether on the Santa Fe county commission, in the New Mexico house of representatives or in the office of the governor, as a public service; and

     WHEREAS, Bruce, who was one of only a handful of New Mexico political leaders known to all simply by his first name, exemplified the qualities of honesty, loyalty and sincerity; and

     WHEREAS, his philosophy was to lift up people and give everyone an opportunity, leading government down the middle path, mediating differences and bringing people together; and

     WHEREAS, Bruce was the truest example of a public servant who reached out to all New Mexicans, and he believed his top priority was simply to do what was right regardless of the personal and political consequences; and

     WHEREAS, Bruce contributed his papers and writings to the university of New Mexico school of law library, which now houses the archived collection that reflects the significant accomplishments not only of Governor King but also of his wife, Alice; and 

     WHEREAS, President Bill Clinton, a friend of Bruce King for thirty years, stated that "he was truly one of a kind. He was a great governor and a wonderful man who used his homespun manner to demonstrate, and sometimes to hide, a razor-sharp mind and an amazing wit. Bruce was my generation's Will Rogers"; and

     WHEREAS, Bruce King's legacy may be best expressed in his own words, uttered in 1998, when he said, "Out on the ranch, when you get things moving in the right direction, that's when the work really starts. I've found government is pretty much the same. As much as we have accomplished, there is plenty to be done and there are lots of ways to get it done. The best time is always now.";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the life and many lasting contributions of Bruce King to the state of New Mexico be recognized and honored; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that sincere condolences be expressed to the family of Bruce King; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to his brothers, Sam King and his wife, Che Sun Kim, and Don King and his wife, Dorothy; his sister, Leota Brooks and her husband, Jack; his sons, Bill King and Gary King and his wife, Yolanda; and his grandchildren, Becky and Tom Spindle, Jenny and Josh Caldes, Stacy King and Eric and Cameron Anderson; and to the archived collection of Bruce King papers in the university of New Mexico school of law library.

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