SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 11

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

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

FOR THE LAND GRANT COMMITTEE

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO NEGOTIATE WITH NEW MEXICO AND REPRESENTATIVES OF DISPLACED LAND GRANT HEIRS FOR THE RETURN OF LAND GRANTS.

     WHEREAS, in 2008, the New Mexico attorney general reviewed and responded to inequities in the legal conclusions and reasoning of the federal general accounting office 2004 report on land grants; and

     WHEREAS, current claims for land grant lands were made to President of the United States Barack Obama in a June 2009 letter expressing support for the return of land grants to displaced heirs; and

     WHEREAS, a meeting held on June 15, 2010 between the bureau of land management and land grant heirs was part of an initiative to regain legal title to land grant property;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the federal government be requested to begin negotiations with New Mexico and land grant heirs or their representatives for the return of land grants to displaced heirs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to President of the United States Barack Obama and the New Mexico congressional delegation.

- 2 -