HOUSE MEMORIAL 68

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Debra M. Sariñana and George Dodge, Jr.

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 23, 2017 "MILITARY AND VETERANS' DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a long and proud history of military service by its residents, a service that dates back hundreds of years before statehood, when indigenous New Mexicans resisted the advancement of European settlers in the area; and

     WHEREAS, this commitment to serving and protecting New Mexico and the nation has continued as members of the national guard and military reserves of New Mexico and other residents have answered the call to arms to serve in World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, the Cold War, the Vietnam conflict, the Gulf War, Bosnia, the global war on terrorism and in peacetime eras between those wars and conflicts; and

     WHEREAS, as the United States' military might has grown, so, too, has the military's reliance on women in all critical areas of operations; and

     WHEREAS, women are no longer relegated to secretarial, clerical and other non-combat roles, and women in today's military are serving in countless other critical and combat positions; and

     WHEREAS, women are now the fastest-growing segment of the nation's veteran population, with more than two million female veterans in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, there are seventeen thousand one hundred seventy female veterans in New Mexico, and all female veterans combined represent ten percent of the veteran population; and

     WHEREAS, living in a free country, New Mexicans realize that this freedom does not come without a cost; and

     WHEREAS, freedom has been fought for by current service members and veterans, including women currently and formerly in uniform;  

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 23, 2017 be declared "Military and Veterans' Day" in the house of representatives and that gratitude be extended to New Mexico's current and former military service members for their service and sacrifices for their country; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a special thank you be extended to female service members and veterans for serving, or having served, shoulder to shoulder in combat areas with their military brothers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that female service members be equally recognized as military heroes and be thanked for their service and sacrifice to the United States of America; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of military affairs and to the veterans' services department.

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