SENATE MEMORIAL 126

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

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A MEMORIAL

RECOMMENDING THAT NEW MEXICO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE "CHILE VERDE ROCK" SONG AS THE OFFICIAL NEW MEXICO CHILE SONG.

     WHEREAS, the legislature has recognized, in addition to "O, Fair New Mexico", certain songs that musically capture the beauty, culture and character of this state; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature has adopted a Spanish-language state song, a state bilingual song, a state ballad and a state cowboy song; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico does not have an official song about chile, a recognized official vegetable of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, as one of the most delicious vegetables known to humankind, chile deserves recognition; and

     WHEREAS, Uvaldo Olonia, a native of Taos, New Mexico, has composed a musical tribute to chile that is worthy of bringing to this humble vegetable the accolades it deserves; and

     WHEREAS, a tribute in the form of a rock and roll song is a fitting way to recognize this spicy vegetable; and

     WHEREAS, the words of "Chile Verde Rock", written by Uvaldo Olonia, are as follows:

                "(first verse)

          It comes down from Hatch and grown in Chimayo

          Spread'n like a fever all across New Mexico

          A national food treasure; the green chile crop

          In New Mexico we love our green chile hot

                (chorus)

          The chile verde rock, roasted in a drum

          Red chile ristras, drying in the sun

          Red or green? Christmas ... mild or hot

          Do'n a little thing called the chile verde rock

                (second verse)

          It comes from Socorro and grown in Rodeo

          They cook it up in Gallup in a pot real slow

          Carnitas, papitas, chicharrones in the pot

          Matanzas in Belen we love our chiles hot

                (chorus)

          The chile verde rock, roasted in a drum

          Red chile ristras, drying in the sun

          Red or green? Christmas ... mild or hot

          Do'n a little thing called the chile verde rock

                (third verse)

          Down in Albuquerque where the chile grows

          Up to Santa Fe where the red chile flows

          Hot like a fire running wild in the woods

          From Taos to Tucumcari, it taste so good

                (chorus)

          The chile verde rock, roasted in a drum

          Red chile ristras, drying in the sun

          Red or green? Christmas ... mild or hot

          Do'n a little thing called the chile verde rock

                (fourth verse)

          When you want some famous New Mexico cuisine

          Take a ride to Tia Ginny's and you'll taste what I mean

          A New Mexico tradition, art and soul

          Green chile crop a big Hispanic role

                (chorus)

          The chile verde rock, roasted in a drum

          Red chile ristras, drying in the sun

          Red or green? Christmas ... mild or hot

          Do'n a little thing called the chile verde rock

          Do'n a little thing called the chile verde rock

          Do'n a little thing called the chile verde rock

          Do'n a little thing called the chile verde rock."; and

     WHEREAS, the adoption of a state symbol is accomplished by an act of the legislature;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the appropriate legislative interim committee be requested to study recommendations for the adoption of "Chile Verde Rock" as the official New Mexico chile song; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate state agencies be encouraged to promote "Chile Verde Rock" as the official New Mexico chile song; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of state, the secretary of tourism and the secretary of cultural affairs and to other appropriate state agencies.

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