SENATE MEMORIAL 46

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

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 26, 2015 "LAS VEGAS DAY" IN THE SENATE; RECOGNIZING THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF LAS VEGAS AND EXPRESSING THE SENATE'S SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS IN SEEKING FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS AT THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS ABE MONTOYA RECREATION CENTER.

     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, Vicente Silva and Las Gorras Blancas, Doc Holliday, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp and Jesse James mingled with Las Vegas inhabitants and enjoyed 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 crucibles of learning, teaching and discovery, not just for northern New Mexico, but for the entire state and the globe; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Las Vegas Abe Montoya recreation center is another gem of the city, dedicated to providing a variety of quality fitness and recreational services for all ages in a facility that promotes pride in community ownership and exceptional customer service; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Las Vegas Abe Montoya recreation center provides a safe zone for children and teens, offers a positive recreation experience and offers the chance for families to enjoy fitness, special activities and events close to home; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Las Vegas Abe Montoya recreation center serves the communities of Las Vegas, Springer, Wagon Mound, Pecos, Villanueva and Mora; and

     WHEREAS, services offered at the recreation center are vital components in the reduction of risks of diabetes, high blood pressure and a variety of other health issues; and

     WHEREAS, in recent years, the city of Las Vegas Abe Montoya recreation center has experienced extreme damage to the structural integrity of the building, resulting in serious health and safety concerns; and

     WHEREAS, over sixty-five thousand four hundred people were served annually at the recreation center prior to the facility experiencing structural damage; and

     WHEREAS, about thirty-nine thousand six hundred people are being served at the recreation center under current conditions, leaving about twenty-five thousand eight hundred people who are not being served; and

     WHEREAS, the Las Vegas community has already invested millions of dollars to build the recreation center, and it is important to preserve that investment;

     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 February 26, 2015 be declared "Las Vegas Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that support be expressed for efforts to seek funding for emergency repairs to the city of Las Vegas Abe Montoya recreation center; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the mayor of Las Vegas and to members of the city council of Las Vegas.

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