SENATE MEMORIAL 49

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

INTRODUCED BY

Phil A. Griego

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 19, 2013 "RODEO DE SANTA FE DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, the rodeo de Santa Fe will be celebrating its sixty-fourth annual rodeo June 19 through 22, 2013; and

     WHEREAS, the rodeo de Santa Fe has been a staple of Santa Fe summers for the better part of the last century. The rodeo de Santa Fe was established in 1949 by Roy Butler, Austin "Slim" Green, Gene Petchesky, Paul Rage and Paul Rutledge; and

     WHEREAS, the first rodeo de Santa Fe was held in the summer of 1949 after the founders got together with other like-minded people who shared a love of rodeo, riding, roping and the western way of life, and with the help and support of many volunteers, they began building the arena and chutes at a place called Ragle's airport field, then four miles outside of town; and

     WHEREAS, each year, the rodeo de Santa Fe draws some of the biggest names in rodeo to compete along their way to the eventual national finals rodeo held every December in Las Vegas. Today, the rodeo de Santa Fe is considered one of the top sixty professional rodeo cowboys association rodeos in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, rodeo has been an old western tradition for centuries. Long before it ever became a professional sport and industry, rodeo derived from basic practicalities of everyday ranch hand chores. Most of the events in rodeo have origins in ranch work; and

     WHEREAS, the rodeo de Santa Fe is sanctioned by the professional rodeo cowboys association, also known as PRCA, which in addition to benefiting the rodeo contestants, the creation of the association has standardized the treatment of the livestock involved in the sport, creating rules and regulations that promote animal welfare and ensure quality livestock. Today, the mission of the association is to "establish the PRCA as the premier sanctioned body of rodeo in North America where rich traditions and values are experienced through the love of animals, competition, excitement and the western lifestyle"; and 

     WHEREAS, in true rodeo tradition, the rodeo de Santa Fe kicks off with an annual rodeo parade, a community event drawing participants and floats made by local businesses, clubs, high schools and community leaders frequently falling in line behind the procession of the flag, the rodeo committee and the rodeo queen with her court. Families, residents and tourists alike line the streets for what is always a fun spectacle; and  

     WHEREAS, the mascot for the rodeo de Santa Fe is "El Toro Diablo", created in 1952 by Will Shuster as his personal entry into the annual parade. Shuster is most famously known for designing and building Zozobra, another Santa Fe tradition; and

     WHEREAS, throughout the years, the rodeo de Santa Fe has continued to grow and evolve along with the rest of the rodeo world. As new technologies are introduced to the sport, the rodeo has made an effort to stay current, providing the best experience for the contestants and the spectators; and

     WHEREAS, every June, Santa Fe witnesses some of the biggest names in rodeo competing in the local arena. The rodeo de Santa Fe continues not only to promote the western tradition, but also to help shape the next generation of cowboys and cowgirls; and

     WHEREAS, the rodeo de Santa Fe annual event provides for approximately two million dollars ($2,000,000) in indirect and direct economic impact; and

     WHEREAS, the proposed arena facility will provide for continued and increased economic stimulus, in the form of job creation and taxable revenue generation, as well as serve as a regional disaster relief facility while maintaining the preservation of the unique "cowboy" heritage in New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 19, 2013 be declared "Rodeo de Santa Fe Day" in the senate.

- 4 -