HOUSE MEMORIAL 79

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

INTRODUCED BY

Patricio Ruiloba

A MEMORIAL

HONORING ERNEST HENRY CHAVEZ AND RECOGNIZING HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, Ernest Henry Chavez, a democrat who served as a state representative for district 12 in Bernalillo county from 2004 to 2014, died on June 29, 2016; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez was born on February 6, 1937 in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez graduated from Albuquerque high school in 1957 and attended the Albuquerque business college in 1969; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez and his wife, Rosanna Chavez, were married for fifty-seven years; and

     WHEREAS, Ernest and Rosanna Chavez had six children: Arlene, Elaine, Ronald, Ernest, Jr., Randy and Ralph; and

     WHEREAS, in 1996, Mr. Chavez retired as a surveyor from the city of Albuquerque's engineering division; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez served twenty-eight years with the New Mexico national guard and United States army reserve; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez was a Democratic party ward and precinct chair for thirty years; and

     WHEREAS, on September 28, 2004, Mr. Chavez was appointed to the term ending in 2004 to replace James O. Taylor, who resigned from his house seat when he was appointed to the senate; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez was elected for five terms in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez represented the rural district that covers the far south valley of Albuquerque, Pajarito mesa and a remote area west of the Rio Puerco; and

     WHEREAS, during his legislative career, Mr. Chavez served on the taxation and revenue committee from 2005 to 2014; the transportation and public works committee from 2007 to 2010 and served as vice chair from 2011 to 2014; the transportation committee from 2005 to 2006; and the enrolling and engrossing committee from 2005 to 2006; and

      WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez also served on several interim committees, including the economic and rural development committee from 2007 to 2014; the Mortgage Finance Authority Act oversight committee as a member from 2005 to 2012, serving as chair in 2013 and vice chair in 2014; and the New Mexico finance authority oversight committee from 2013 to 2014; and

     WHEREAS, during the interim, Mr. Chavez served as an advisory member on several committees; and

     WHEREAS, in 2005, Mr. Chavez was instrumental in getting one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) appropriated to purchase a site for a planned recreational area in the south valley; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez was unable to attend the thirty-day 2014 legislative session due to health issues caused by the bite of a brown recluse spider; and

     WHEREAS, citing his age and health problems, Mr. Chavez did not seek reelection in 2014; and

     WHEREAS, during his legislative tenure, Mr. Chavez was a strong advocate for preserving the south valley of Albuquerque's rural and agricultural way of life; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez was a lifetime member of the Catholic church, and was very active in his community; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez cited his major personal accomplishment as a lifetime of hard work as a good father and husband;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Ernest Henry Chavez be remembered for his years of public service and for his dedication to the residents of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the family of Ernest Henry Chavez.

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