HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 13

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

James P. White

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE TO RECOGNIZE, ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT GENERAL AVIATION IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, general aviation plays a critical role in the lives and safety of New Mexicans and in the operations of the state's businesses, ranches and farms; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a vested and significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation, the aerospace industry, aircraft and aircraft systems manufacturing, aviation education institutions, charter flight businesses, community airports and airport operators that provide jobs and economic growth statewide; and

     WHEREAS, according to the department of transportation's New Mexico airport system plan update 2009, aviation in New Mexico supports nearly fifty thousand jobs, generates over one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) in payroll annually and produces over three billion dollars ($3,000,000,000) in economic activity in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, given New Mexico's size and geography, many businesses and communities depend on aviation of all types for mobility, medical and emergency transport, education, agriculture, economic opportunity, search and rescue activities and a wide range of critical resources; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a rich heritage of military aviation and hosts and supports three major United States air force bases; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's general aviation airports house three air tanker bases that provide crucial firefighting response capabilities in New Mexico and adjoining states; and

     WHEREAS, aircraft-related manufacturing, testing and research and development businesses and organizations are integral to the aviation economy of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, aviation-related tourism brings in over sixty-one million dollars ($61,000,000) to New Mexico each year, and many of the state's communities depend heavily upon aviation and airports for a continued flow of commerce, tourists and visitors; and

     WHEREAS, organizations such as the New Mexico pilots association, the New Mexico airport managers' association, the experimental aircraft association, the aircraft owners and pilots association, the alliance for aviation across America, the national business aviation association, the national association of state aviation officials and the national air transportation association recognize and promote the interests and importance of aviation in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's centennial celebrations included recognition of the following aspects of the state's rich aviation heritage: the first use of military aviation in warfare; the first aerial demonstration at New Mexico's first state fair; the flying farmers' key role in the first transcontinental air transport route; the world's largest balloon festival in Albuquerque; the vital military training undertaken in New Mexico; Charles Lindbergh's development of aerial archaeology; Felix Baumgartner's historic balloon ascent and supersonic free fall into New Mexico; and the legacies of aviators such as William Cutter, who flew the first air ambulance in 1928;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the contribution that general aviation has made in New Mexico's history and economy be recognized; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature recognize, encourage and support the efforts of all who contribute to and participate in aviation of all kinds throughout this land of enchantment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico pilots association, the New Mexico airport managers' association, the experimental aircraft association, the aircraft owners and pilots association, the alliance for aviation across America, the national business aviation association, the national association of state aviation officials and the national air transportation association. 

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