SENATE MEMORIAL 87

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

INTRODUCED BY

Nancy Rodriguez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND MEMBERS OF THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO SUPPORT LOCAL EFFORTS TO DESIGNATE THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE REGION III HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AS EITHER A NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OR NATIONAL MONUMENT.

     WHEREAS, the national park service region III headquarters building, more commonly known as the old Santa Fe trail building, was constructed from 1937 through 1939 through the efforts of the civilian conservation corps and the works progress administration, two federal government organizations that offered meaningful employment and cultural uplift to millions during the great depression; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico and its multicultural population received a greater benefit from these programs than many other states, including enhancing its ethnic diversity; and

     WHEREAS, from 1939 to 1995, the building has served as the region III headquarters for the national park service, playing an important role in the development of the national park system, which has been called "America's best idea"; and

     WHEREAS, there are currently seventy national park service employees who are quartered in the building; and

     WHEREAS, the building is an outstanding example of institutional adobe architecture, reflecting the natural vernacular architecture of New Mexico and the southwest; and

     WHEREAS, the exterior of the building has been preserved by the national park service since 1939 and is virtually unchanged since its original design and construction; and

     WHEREAS, the interior of the building was designed to reflect the same vernacular architecture and contains furniture and artwork that are emblematic of New Mexico and the southwest; and

     WHEREAS, much of the furniture and artwork was produced by artisans of the civilian conservation corps and the works progress administration, and the national park service has protected and preserved these artifacts as part of its mission to preserve the building; and

     WHEREAS, public activities in the building have been an important part of Santa Fe's community life and development; and

     WHEREAS, the area around the building, commonly known as museum hill, has evolved into a unique array of educational institutions that are highly compatible with the public use of the old Santa Fe trail building, presenting the potential for mutually beneficial federal, state, local, tribal and private-sector cooperation; and

     WHEREAS, in recognition that the building is historically significant to the entire nation, it was designated as a national historic landmark in 1987 by the United States secretary of the interior; and

     WHEREAS, congress is now being asked to designate the old Santa Fe trail building as a national historic site to honor workers throughout the nation who lent their talents and labor to the civilian conservation corps and the works progress administration; and

     WHEREAS, it would be beneficial if the story of that era of the nation's history were documented and celebrated before those who worked in the civilian conservation corps and the works progress administration are all gone; and

     WHEREAS, the building is a fitting site from which to educate the nation about the deeds of these important workers and to honor their memory;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the president of the United States and members of the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to support local efforts to designate the old Santa Fe trail building as a civilian conservation corps and works progress administration national historic site; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, alternatively, the president of the United States be urged to proclaim the old Santa Fe trail building as the civilian conservation corps and works progress administration national monument, honoring all who participated in these government programs in the building and the significant artifacts that the workers helped to create; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that efforts to keep the current seventy government employees headquartered in the old Santa Fe trail building be supported; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the United States, members of the New Mexico congressional delegation and the director of the national park service.

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