SENATE MEMORIAL 60

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A MEMORIAL

HONORING HOUSE SPEAKER W. KEN MARTINEZ AND RECOGNIZING HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, after nine terms of dedication to statewide public service, former house speaker W. Ken Martinez will be leaving the legislature and focusing his legal and political expertise on serving Bernalillo county as its attorney; and

     WHEREAS, a Democrat, Speaker Martinez will have represented house district 69, which covers Bernalillo, Cibola, McKinley, San Juan, Socorro and Valencia counties, from 1999 to 2016; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Martinez was born and raised in Grants, New Mexico, a rural community where he was first elected to represent; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Martinez graduated from the university of New Mexico in 1981 and was awarded a juris doctor degree from the university of Notre Dame law school in 1984; and

     WHEREAS, while pursuing his juris doctor degree, Speaker Martinez also completed an international law program in Mexico City and a program of international human rights law at the London school of economics; and

     WHEREAS, from 1999 to 2004, Speaker Martinez was the house parliamentarian; and

     WHEREAS, in 2005, Speaker Martinez was elected by his fellow Democratic members to serve as New Mexico house majority floor leader; and

     WHEREAS, from 2012 to 2014, Speaker Martinez served as speaker of the house, a position his father, Walter K. Martinez, proudly held from 1971 to 1978; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Martinez's roots in his district and the state run deep; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Martinez's connection to the challenges that New Mexicans face inspires his legislative priorities of fighting for economic opportunity and job creation, providing a social safety net for our most vulnerable citizens and ensuring that every child in New Mexico receives a quality education; and

     WHEREAS, among his key legislative victories, Speaker Martinez counts his fight to reduce the tragic results of driving-while-intoxicated deaths and injuries in New Mexico as a major achievement in improving and protecting the lives of New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, understanding that quality education and economic opportunity go hand in hand, Speaker Martinez successfully spearheaded legislation to create a partnership between the state and school districts to build and renovate schools throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Martinez is currently serving on the national board of the state legislative leaders foundation and was the 2010 recipient of the American humane association's Rutherford T. Phillips award for excellence on behalf of animal welfare; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Martinez is often described by his legislative colleagues as gracious, a problem solver and a man who demonstrates a commitment to inclusiveness; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Martinez is married to Monique Martinez and is the proud father of four children and one granddaughter;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Speaker W. Ken Martinez be honored for his dedication to the people of New Mexico and for his unstinting public service; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Speaker W. Ken Martinez.

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