SENATE MEMORIAL 85

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

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BEN LUJAN'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AND WISHING HIM GODSPEED UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, Ben Lujan began his service in the house of representatives in 1975, before even the most senior member of the senate was elected to the upper house; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan was elected by his caucus to be majority whip in 1983 and majority floor leader in 1999, before being elected speaker of the house of representatives in 2001; and

     WHEREAS, during his long service in the New Mexico legislature, Speaker Lujan served as a member of more than half a dozen standing committees and more than two dozen interim committees and subcommittees and successfully sponsored countless pieces of legislation, including measures to increase the minimum wage, to protect homeowners from being forced from their homes by rising property taxes and to spur the economy with business incentives, worker training programs and funding for public works projects; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan's decision to retire from the New Mexico house of representatives at the end of his current term will leave a remarkable gap in leadership and mark the end of a particularly workmanlike era in that body and in the New Mexico legislature; and

     WHEREAS, at the same time, the speaker's decision to not seek reelection brings a glimmer of hope to those senators who sponsored legislation that Speaker Lujan believed deserved thorough scrutiny in numerous house committees; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan's determination, advocacy on behalf of his constituents and the causes in which he believed and loyalty to the legislative institution will be greatly missed;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that eternal gratitude be expressed to Speaker Ben Lujan for his dedication and service to the people of the state of New Mexico and that he be wished Godspeed upon his retirement from the house of representatives.

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