HOUSE MEMORIAL 41

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

INTRODUCED BY

Dennis J. Kintigh

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO PRESENT THE DOCUMENTED HISTORICAL LOCATIONS RELATING TO SPACE EXPLORATION IN NEW MEXICO TO AID THE LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AN OFFICIAL STATE HISTORIC SPACE TRAIL.

     WHEREAS, space research, development and exploration has been conducted in New Mexico since 100 B.C. and continues to this day; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has played a significant role in the development of the United States space program; and

     WHEREAS, there are approximately forty-seven sites of historical, cultural and economic significance relating to space exploration throughout New Mexico, such as the prehistoric wizard's roost observatory, Robert Goddard's early rocket research laboratory in Roswell and spaceport America; and

     WHEREAS, Native Americans, early Spanish settlers and modern New Mexicans have benefited historically, culturally and economically from their involvement in space research, development and exploration; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature has tasked the museum of space history with educating the public of New Mexico's importance in space exploration by collecting, preserving and interpreting significant artifacts relevant to the history of space; and

     WHEREAS, the museum of space history has documented, developed and mapped the historical locations relating to space exploration in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans and Americans will benefit from the establishment of an official historic space trail;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the cultural affairs department be requested to present the documented, developed and mapped historical locations relating to space exploration in New Mexico to the appropriate interim legislative committee to aid the legislature to consider establishing an official state historical space trail; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of cultural affairs and the governor.

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