HOUSE MEMORIAL 69

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Harry Garcia and D. Wonda Johnson

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO NAME A BRIDGE LOCATED ON INTERSTATE 40, EXIT 47, AT THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, AFTER JACKSON GIBSON.

     WHEREAS, requests for the designation or dedication by name of any department of transportation bridge are submitted to the state transportation commission for approval; and

     WHEREAS, a requested designation by name is intended as a memorial to an event, a person or persons of historical significance or intended as an honor to a person or persons of national esteem; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson Gibson, a lifelong leader and community advocate, died August 18, 2017; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson was born in Thoreau, New Mexico, into the Sage Brush Hill Clan born for the Two Who Came to the Water Clan; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson enlisted in the United States army and served two tours during the Vietnam War; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson's first tour of duty was from July 1966 to July 1967 and his second tour of duty was from January 1968 to December 1969; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson was stationed in Pleiku, South Vietnam; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson was assigned to the first airborne army brigade first air cavalry division; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson was a door gunner on a Huey gunship; and

     WHEREAS, as a staunch advocate for his fellow veterans, Jackson was instrumental in an ongoing effort to locate a veterans' center in Thoreau; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson was a public servant who was independent-minded, strong-willed and outspoken, but was always a supporter of Native Americans, McKinley county residents, all New Mexicans and Americans; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson was a man of strong character with a sense of humor and an outreaching spirit; and

     WHEREAS, Jackson served as director of the Navajo film and media program and director of the department of Navajo veterans affairs and in several executive positions with the Thoreau chapter; and

     WHEREAS, in 2008, Jackson was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson to the state transportation commission to represent district 6; and  

     WHEREAS, a fitting honor to recognize Jackson Gibson, a man held in high esteem for his life of public service and advocacy for veterans, would be to have a bridge named after him;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state transportation commission be requested to name a bridge located on interstate 40, exit 47, at the continental divide, after Jackson Gibson; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of the state transportation commission.

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