SENATE MEMORIAL 88

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

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Kay Papen

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE LATE LUIS A. JIMENEZ, JR. FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE ARTS AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEW MEXICO'S REPUTATION AS A MECCA FOR THE ARTS.

     WHEREAS, Luis A. Jimenez, Jr. was an important twentieth century American artist who gave form to the nations's iconic issues through his extraordinary vision; and

     WHEREAS, his works of art render in sculpture, drawings and prints the strength and passion of the working class and celebrate its humanity and the triumph of the human spirit; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Jimenez was born on July 30, 1940, in El Paso, Texas, and in his early years attended public school and received hands-on development and training in his father's neon and electric sign shop; and

     WHEREAS, after high school, Mr. Jimenez attended the university of Texas at Austin, from which he received his bachelor of fine arts degree, and continued his post-graduate studies at the ciudad universitaria in Mexico City; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Jimenez learned his lessons and values in this multicultural nation with integrity and uncompromised passion for truth, and his hard work, determination and vision drove him to create works of art that speak to the nation; and

     WHEREAS, the Luis A. Jimenez, Jr. heritage trail has been established by his widow, Susan Brockman Jimenez, and their three children, Luis Adan Jimenez, Juan Orion Jimenez and Sarah Alicia Xochil Jimenez, to promote a wider understanding of and appreciation for Mr. Jimenez' artistic legacy by facilitating access to his works of art and developing scholarly and educational programs to understand the nation's collective culture and histories; and

     WHEREAS, the Luis A. Jimenez, Jr. heritage trail connects regional culture and history across twenty-one cities in four states, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and Arizona, and is a self-guided trail highlighting permanent installations of the highly acclaimed artwork created by Mr. Jimenez; and

     WHEREAS, Luis A. Jimenez, Jr. was an internationally recognized artist, whose monumental sculpture commissions are sited in cities across North America and whose works of art have been endorsed and supported by forty-two cities and municipalities, including through large-scale sculpture commissions between the cities and the national endowment for the arts;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the exceptional achievements of Luis A. Jimenez, Jr. and his contributions to New Mexico's national stature as a mecca for the arts be recognized; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the family of Luis A. Jimenez, Jr.

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