SENATE MEMORIAL 120

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

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald Ortiz y Pino

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY TO CONSIDER RENAMING THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK IN HONOR OF FACUNDO B. VALDEZ.

     WHEREAS, the school of social work at New Mexico highlands university has been accredited by the council on social work education since 1978 and is accredited through 2020; and

     WHEREAS, the mission of the school of social work is to educate students to practice social work competently with the diverse, multicultural populations of New Mexico and the southwest; and

     WHEREAS, the school of social work offers the master of social work degree program at the main campus in Las Vegas and at the school's four campuses in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Farmington and Roswell; and

     WHEREAS, Facundo B. Valdez was instrumental in shaping the school of social work at New Mexico highlands university; and

     WHEREAS, Facundo earned a bachelor of arts degree in social science and biology from New Mexico highlands university in 1958, a master's degree in history from New Mexico highlands university in 1960 and a master's degree in social work from the university of Denver in 1963; and

     WHEREAS, Facundo's major pioneering effort was in planning and development of a graduate and undergraduate social work program at New Mexico highlands university; and

     WHEREAS, from 1972 to 1979, Facundo was an associate professor of social work and director of the social work program for the graduate and undergraduate departments at New Mexico highlands university; and

     WHEREAS, under Facundo's direction, both programs were implemented and gained full accreditation from the council on social work education; and

      WHEREAS, from 1980 to 1987, Facundo was a professor of social work for New Mexico highlands university, where he taught courses in community development, mental health planning and management; and

     WHEREAS, at times during his career, Facundo was a consultant on rural problems for the national volunteers in service to America program and a consultant to rural community development at the university of Oklahoma and also at the university of Colorado; and

     WHEREAS, Facundo was a founding member of the national council of la raza and held many other consultant positions, primarily in the area of migration and Mexican American needs, food and nutrition and health issues of Hispanic groups; and

     WHEREAS, Facundo remained active in championing educational and mental health causes until his death on August 3, 2014; and

     WHEREAS, a fitting recognition of Facundo's groundbreaking work to establish the first bachelor's and master's degree programs in social work at New Mexico highlands university would be to rename the school of social work in his honor;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the board of regents of New Mexico highlands university be requested to consider renaming the school of social work the Facundo B. Valdez school of social work in recognition of Facundo's contributions to the school of social work; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the board of regents of New Mexico highlands university.

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