HOUSE MEMORIAL 82

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AREA IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE CENTERED AROUND LOUISIANA BETWEEN CENTRAL AND ZUNI, COMPRISING THE COMMUNITIES OF LA MESA, TRUMBULL, SOUTH SAN PEDRO, ELDER HOMESTEAD, FAIR WEST AND SURROUNDING AREAS, KNOWN AS THE "INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT".

     WHEREAS, the area in the city of Albuquerque centered around Louisiana between Central and Zuni is commonly recognized as the most international and culturally diverse area of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the residents living in that community come from various countries of origin and have diverse ethnic, racial and national backgrounds; and

     WHEREAS, in the international district, Native Americans and New Mexicans whose families have been in New Mexico for hundreds of years live alongside recent immigrants from Mexico, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, Africa and many other places; and

     WHEREAS, many cultures, customs and faiths are represented in this diverse and vibrant part of the city, and over twenty-seven languages are spoken at Highland high school; and

     WHEREAS, the area has been home for the last five decades to the United States department of state's refugee resettlement program; and

     WHEREAS, hundreds of residents, business operators and local elected officials held several public meetings, had thoughtful discourse and unanimously concluded that creating awareness of and leveraging the area's positive image are critical to building the community and supporting local business and property; and

     WHEREAS, since its formal recognition in 2009, the international district identity has started to flourish through economic development and by creating awareness of the community's vibrant and diverse culture, goods and services; and

     WHEREAS, the international district is supported by local, county and city elected officials in the community and has supported identity-building through signage and long-range planning; and

     WHEREAS, recent improvements in the area include the expansion of Turquoise lodge and the metropolitan assessment and treatment services facility, the Ed Romero terrace, refurbishment of the Sundowner hotel and Luna lodge, the Albuquerque housing partnership's affordable single family housing, the extreme makeover home edition property, cultural artwork around Talin market, the new university of New Mexico southeast heights healthcare clinic, the new peanut butter and jelly family services, incorporated, southeast heights center, New Mexico veterans integration center, east central ministries dental clinic, the new Molina medical clinic, expanded first nations health clinic, improved sidewalks and drainage, the stories of route 66 project and other projects that have helped bring new vitality and needed services to the area; and

     WHEREAS, the international district, with support of local stakeholders and elected officials, hosts popular city and statewide events, including the international district festival and international district day at the New Mexico legislature;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the fifth anniversary of the international district, including the area in the city of Albuquerque centered around Louisiana between Central and Zuni, comprising the communities of La Mesa, Trumbull, South San Pedro, Elder Homestead, Fair West and surrounding areas, shall be collectively recognized as the "International District"; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the media in Albuquerque and Santa Fe and to city and county officials representing the area.

- 4 -