HOUSE MEMORIAL 122

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Brian Egolf

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING MARCH 9, 2015 "SANTA FE OPERA DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, since its founding in 1957, the Santa Fe opera has won international acclaim for its artistic excellence and innovation, attracting audiences from all fifty states and numerous foreign countries; and

     WHEREAS, the Santa Fe opera is vital to the economy of New Mexico, providing an estimated two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) in revenue each year; and

     WHEREAS, nearly five hundred thousand New Mexicans' lives were enriched by a broad range of programs given by the Santa Fe opera during the last decade; and

     WHEREAS, of that number, thirty-three thousand people attended opera performances during the summer festival season; and

     WHEREAS, in that same ten-year period, one hundred fifty thousand schoolchildren and their families were introduced to the opera by the annual spring tour that travels to all corners of the state, more than forty thousand students were engaged in writing and producing original operas at their schools, and more than three hundred thousand students attended free public programs; and

     WHEREAS, every summer, thousands of Native American children and their families attend performances at the opera; and

     WHEREAS, the Santa Fe opera's renowned apprentice programs for singers and technicians contributes to the training of more than one hundred young professionals each year, and has done so over the past fifty-eight years, providing opportunities for four thousand five hundred young people to prepare for careers in the arts;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that March 9, 2015 be declared "Santa Fe Opera Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the Santa Fe opera.

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