HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 5

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Rick Miera

A JOINT MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING JANUARY 27, 2012 AS "BILINGUAL EDUCATION DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a long and significant history that recognizes and supports bilingualism and bilingual education for its people; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a multilingual, multicultural state in which multiple languages and cultures have come together throughout history to form a unique, living-and-breathing multicultural mosaic; and

     WHEREAS, bilingualism existed in New Mexico from the time its early pueblo inhabitants used two or more languages for commerce and communication among diverse tribes to the time Spanish settlers, and later English-speaking settlers, added new languages to the region; and

     WHEREAS, in 1540, Spain's exploration of New Mexico was accomplished bilingually using Spanish and Nahuatl, the language spoken in Mexico by the Aztec people; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico added English to the multilingual mix in 1848, as the ninth language spoken after Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, Zuni, Navajo, Apache and Spanish; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is the only state in the United States that has constitutional provisions for maintaining a bilingual citizenry and for declaring Spanish and English as official languages of the state, which happened early in New Mexico's history; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico educators have implemented instruction in two languages from the state's territorial period through today; and

     WHEREAS, for the past one hundred years of statehood, the New Mexico legislature has consistently supported the maintenance of the state's languages and cultures in statute and in legislative memorials; and

     WHEREAS, in 1969, the New Mexico legislature passed the first bilingual education law in the United States, supporting Spanish and English bilingual education; and

     WHEREAS, research demonstrates that inclusion of a child's language and culture in the educational curriculum is an educationally sound way to ensure a student's healthy identity, which serves to sustain young people throughout their school years and on into successful careers as contributing members of their respective communities; and

     WHEREAS, nearly two-thirds of New Mexico school districts offer sound learning opportunities in two languages for English language learners, mainly for Hispanic and Native American children who are in danger of losing their historical languages, and for native English speakers wishing to acquire a second or even third language; and

     WHEREAS, bilingualism and multiculturalism are invaluable assets in the international marketplace, with parents of children in many countries ensuring that their children are educated in two or three languages;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that January 27, 2012 be recognized as "Bilingual Education Day" at the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the sound implementation of quality bilingual programs continue as an option for public schools in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be encouraged to continue to fulfill its approval and monitoring responsibilities to ensure that quality programs continue to be implemented in schools that offer bilingual education programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public education and the New Mexico association for bilingual educators.

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