HOUSE MEMORIAL 34

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

INTRODUCED BY

Georgene Louis

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A REVIEW AND STUDY OF THE COMMITMENT TO AND SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO FOR THE NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF LAW.

     WHEREAS, the mission of the university of New Mexico is to offer New Mexicans and others access to high-quality educational, research and service programs; to operate as a significant knowledge resource for New Mexico, the nation and the world; and to foster programs of international prominence that will place the university among America's most distinguished public research universities; and

     WHEREAS, the mission of the university of New Mexico school of law is to educate and train students to become excellent lawyers who will enrich and serve local, state, tribal, national and international communities after graduation; and

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico school of law's law and indigenous peoples program, southwest Indian law clinic, tribal law journal and Native American law students association all aim to serve Native American communities throughout New Mexico, the region and the nation; and

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico, home to Indian pueblos, nations and tribes, has the opportunity to ensure that the university of New Mexico school of law continues to lead as the flagship school in access, preparation, representation and service to New Mexico tribes and indigenous peoples through commitment to the university of New Mexico school of law's law and indigenous peoples program, southwest Indian law clinic, tribal law journal and Native American law students association;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the board of regents of the university of New Mexico, the president of the university of New Mexico and the dean of the university of New Mexico school of law be requested to conduct a full review of the school of law's commitment to and support of all of the institutional functions impacting Native Americans, including admissions and retention, the law and indigenous peoples program, the southwest Indian law clinic, the tribal law journal and the Native American law students association, to determine the level of support currently provided and required in the future for those programs both statewide and nationally; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the board of regents of the university of New Mexico, the president of the university of New Mexico and the dean of the university of New Mexico school of law formulate recommendations on how to maximize the impact of the law and indigenous peoples program, the southwest Indian law clinic, the tribal law journal and the Native American law students association on the Native American community, both statewide and nationally, taking into account financial considerations and possible support for additional initiatives, including an institute for indigenous legal tradition; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the appropriate standing and interim legislative committees, the board of regents of the university of New Mexico, the president of the university of New Mexico and the dean of the university of New Mexico school of law and to the university of New Mexico school of law's law and indigenous peoples program, southwest Indian law clinic, tribal law journal and Native American law students association.

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