HOUSE MEMORIAL 13

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Rebecca Dow and Nathan P. Small and Jane E. Powdrell-Culbert and Joanne J. Ferrary

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING JANUARY 23, 2019 "SPACEPORT AMERICA DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS PROVIDED BY SPACEPORT AMERICA.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is host to spaceport America, the first purpose-built commercial spaceport; and

     WHEREAS, the federal-aviation-administration-licensed launch capabilities at spaceport America attract aerospace industry members to perform secure and safe commercial space activities in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, spaceport America has been selected by the defense advanced research projects agency of the United States department of defense to support its commercial launch challenge with spaceport America's horizontal launch facility; and

     WHEREAS, spaceport America is already home to some of the most respected companies in the commercial space industry, including Virgin Galactic; the Boeing company; UP Aerospace, incorporated; EXOS Aerospace Systems and Technologies, incorporated; and Building EnergetiCx; and

     WHEREAS, spaceport America has agreements to cultivate business relationships with over twenty-four new customers who choose to operate from spaceport America; and

     WHEREAS, spaceport America is promoting new economic development in New Mexico to support building an aerospace business ecosystem in the state to complement use of its vertical and horizontal access to space capabilities; and

     WHEREAS, spaceport America has ideal conditions to attract additional commercial space companies; and

     WHEREAS, spaceport America has exceptional capacity to support those companies' needs for research, engineering, testing and manufacturing, as well as access to space flight launching and landing facilities; and

     WHEREAS, spaceport America has conducted more than two hundred space launches, twice sponsored the annual international rocket cup and reached thousands of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs; and

     WHEREAS, spaceport America has the potential to anchor a thriving commercial space industry in New Mexico encompassing a broad range of support businesses that will contribute to the New Mexico economy;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that January 23, 2019 be declared "Spaceport America Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the office of the governor, the secretary of tourism, the secretary of economic development and the executive director of the spaceport authority.

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