SENATE MEMORIAL 4

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

INTRODUCED BY

Jacob R. Candelaria

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING MARCH 3, 2017 AS "SPEECH AND DEBATE EDUCATION DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, national speech and debate education day is being celebrated on March 3, 2017 to promote enhanced instruction in speech and debate across all grade levels and to highlight the pivotal role speech and debate abilities play in personal advocacy, social movements and public policy; and

     WHEREAS, speech and debate education helps students develop important skills in communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration through the practice of public speaking; and

     WHEREAS, speech and debate education in New Mexico has grown significantly over the past decade, with thousands of students participating every year; and

     WHEREAS, speech and debate instruction is an essential component of a well-rounded educational curriculum, and

New Mexico speech and debate alumni have been admitted to the top colleges and universities across the globe; and

     WHEREAS, through speech and debate, participants learn not only to analyze and express complex ideas effectively, but also to listen, concur, question and dissent with reason and compassion; and

     WHEREAS, the skills learned through speech and debate empower youth to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals and leaders in today's global society; and

     WHEREAS, students from New Mexico have finished at the top of the national speech and debate tournament every year; the 2012 national speech and debate student of the year was from East Mountain high school in Sandia Park; and debaters from New Mexico consistently place in the top five in the world in the international public policy forum; and

     WHEREAS, countless educators in New Mexico devote in-school, after-school and weekend time to supporting their students in speech and debate practices and competitions, and their example of hard work and dedication makes a lasting, positive impact on their pupils;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that in recognition of the substantial contribution speech and debate experience makes to students' educations and lives, March 3, 2017 be proclaimed "speech and debate education day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public education, the president of the New Mexico speech and debate association and the executive director of the national speech and debate association.

- 3 -