SENATE MEMORIAL 71
51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013
INTRODUCED BY
Pete Campos
A MEMORIAL
RECOGNIZING THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF LAS VEGAS, CELEBRATING ITS INSTITUTIONS AND REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE'S SUPPORT FOR LAS VEGAS'S EFFORTS TO COMBAT ITS WATER CRISIS.
WHEREAS, Las Vegas was founded in 1835 as a Spanish land grant called Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Las Vegas Grandes; and
WHEREAS, the Spanish settlers who founded the community had roots going back to the seventeenth century; and
WHEREAS, the Acequia Madre in Las Vegas stands as a testament to one hundred fifty years of resourcefulness and ingenuity; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas was a key rest stop, resupply point and protector of the Santa Fe trail, serving as a lifeline between the growing West and the eastern parts of the United States; and
WHEREAS, in one of the more riotous and colorful periods of its history, Las Vegas saw the likes of Vicente Silva and Las Gorras Blancas, Doc Holliday, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp and Jesse James mingling with its inhabitants and enjoying its entertainments; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas provided some of Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Riders", and the city hosted the first "Rough Riders" reunion, which was attended by Roosevelt shortly before he became president; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas has over nine hundred buildings on the national register of historic places; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas is a signature place of charm and wonder in the "Land of Enchantment", a spectacular tourist destination, with fine historic hotels, authentic New Mexico character and easy access to other local historic sites and outdoor recreation; and
WHEREAS, aside from its historic and tourist attractions, Las Vegas is home to many critical state institutions; and
WHEREAS, one of these is the New Mexico behavioral health institute, the only state-owned and state-operated psychiatric hospital, which provides critical medical services to the state, including long-term nursing care for the elderly and disabled; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas is also home to five major educational institutions, New Mexico highlands university, Luna community college, United world college, Las Vegas city schools and west Las Vegas school district; and
WHEREAS, these educational institutions are gems of the city and crucibles of learning, teaching and discovery, not just for northern New Mexico, but for the entire state and the globe; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, there has been a burgeoning water crisis affecting Las Vegas, exacerbated by the state's years of drought, the limited surface area of the watershed surrounding the city and the age and conditions of the area's dams; and
WHEREAS, increasing water storage is Las Vegas's top priority for the city to alleviate its critical water supply situation; and
WHEREAS, Las Vegas has indicated that an expansion of the Bradner reservoir, involving both an increase in size of the Bradner dam and addressing safety issues connected with the dam, is key to alleviating Las Vegas's water crisis; and
WHEREAS, the enlargement of the Bradner dam has been endorsed by the San Miguel county economic development leadership collaborative; and
WHEREAS, the water crisis affecting Las Vegas will undermine the remarkable opportunities for tourism in and around Las Vegas, the city's economic development and the potential of the behavioral health institute and the city's five educational institutions;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the distinguished history and heritage of Las Vegas be recognized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the contributions of the behavioral health institute, New Mexico highlands university, Luna community college, United world college, Las Vegas city schools and west Las Vegas school district be celebrated; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that support be expressed for Las Vegas in its efforts to resolve its water crisis by expanding the Bradner reservoir and dam; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the mayor of Las Vegas and to the city council of Las Vegas.
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