SENATE MEMORIAL 56

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

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald Ortiz y Pino

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THAT FATHERS MATTER TO KIDS, KIDS MATTER TO FATHERS AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ARE BETTER OFF WHEN FATHERS AND CHILDREN ARE POSITIVELY ENGAGED IN EACH OTHER'S LIVES; DECLARING AUGUST 10, 2012 "NEW MEXICO FATHERS AND FAMILIES DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, on August 10, 2010, over two hundred individuals, including state officials, elected representatives, program service providers, policymakers, fathers, grandfathers, children and other family members from across New Mexico, attended the daylong New Mexico fatherhood forum hosted at the university of New Mexico-Valencia campus in Los Lunas, one of a series of fatherhood forums sponsored by the white house office of faith-based and neighborhood partnerships and the New Mexico office of rural development of the United States department of agriculture and organized collaboratively by the New Mexico alliance for fathers and families; and

     WHEREAS, that forum was hosted as a response to President Obama's call for a national conversation on fatherhood and personal responsibility, which gave voice for a statewide and national movement calling for policies and programs to support positive father engagement; acknowledging that responsible, loving father engagement positively affects families and communities; and acknowledging that the absence of fathers from families has a negative impact with social costs measurable by higher rates of incarceration, drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, teen pregnancy, student dropouts, child abuse and violence; and

     WHEREAS, "our state is at or near the bottom of virtually every national indicator of the well-being of children, youth and families, and we consider that standing unacceptable"; and we are challenged with the realization of a shared, common determination in a New Mexico that still has much to honor and celebrate among our many enduring native traditional cultures rooted in values of respect for family that embrace the unique diversity of New Mexicans and encourage positive fatherly relationships without demeaning the role of mothers; and

     WHEREAS, the alliance for fathers and families produced a report delivered to the white house that addressed key policy issues focused on education and early childhood, health and human services, judicial systems and work force and economic development and that may serve as a blueprint for action in New Mexico for years to come; and

     WHEREAS, the driving force behind the first New Mexico fatherhood forum was the newly formed New Mexico alliance for fathers and families, composed of more than two dozen social nonprofit organizations, state agencies, community and faith-based organizations and social service agencies, along with support from the office of the lieutenant governor and the New Mexico congressional delegation, which included staff support from both of New Mexico's senators, and which shall be the organizer of subsequent fatherhood forums in New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico alliance for fathers and families be recognized as a statewide coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to creating a culture of positive father engagement by advocating for needed policy changes, promoting effective programs and attracting new resources to New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that August 10, 2012, the date of second New Mexico fatherhood forum, be declared "New Mexico Fathers and Families Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor, the New Mexico congressional delegation, the New Mexico children's cabinet and the white house office of faith-based and neighborhood partnerships.

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