SENATE MEMORIAL 13

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

INTRODUCED BY

Bill B. O'Neill

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE POSTMASTER GENERAL TO SUPPORT THE ISSUANCE OF A POSTAGE STAMP COMMEMORATING THE FIFTIETH ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA.

     WHEREAS, in 1972, the Albuquerque international balloon fiesta began with participation of thirteen hot air balloons; and

     WHEREAS, over the years, the Albuquerque international balloon fiesta has grown into the world's largest hot air ballooning event, hosting as many as one thousand balloons; and

     WHEREAS, for nine days starting the first Saturday of October, pilots, crews and spectators from all over the world attend the Albuquerque international balloon fiesta; and

     WHEREAS, hundreds of balloons lift off at dawn each morning of the balloon fiesta and tethered balloons glow in the evenings as propane burners inflate the balloons against a dark sky; and

     WHEREAS, the event has been visited by millions of people since the balloon fiesta's inception and is said to be the world's most photographed event; and

     WHEREAS, in 2021, the fiftieth Albuquerque international balloon fiesta will be held; and

     WHEREAS, visitors and aficionados collect memorabilia representing the Albuquerque international balloon fiesta; and

     WHEREAS, a postage stamp commemorating the fiftieth annual Albuquerque international balloon fiesta would be a treasured remembrance of the event; and

     WHEREAS, the citizens' stamp advisory committee is charged with reviewing subjects for commemorative stamps and for recommending new subjects for commemorative stamps to the United States postal service postmaster general for determination;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States postal service postmaster general be encouraged to support the issuance of a postage stamp commemorating the fiftieth Albuquerque international balloon fiesta; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the citizens' stamp advisory committee of the United States postal service and the board of directors of the Albuquerque international balloon fiesta.

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