SENATE MEMORIAL 12

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

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF LAS VEGAS, CELEBRATING ITS INSTITUTIONS, REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE'S SUPPORT FOR LAS VEGAS'S EFFORTS TO COMBAT ITS WATER CRISIS AND DECLARING JANUARY 23, 2014 AS "LAS VEGAS DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     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 more than 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 public 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 that January 23, 2014 be declared "Las Vegas Day" in the senate; 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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