SENATE MEMORIAL 127
54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019
INTRODUCED BY
Carlos R. Cisneros
A MEMORIAL
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CARSON NATIONAL FOREST'S SELECTION TO PROVIDE THE 2019 UNITED STATES CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE AND URGING NEW MEXICO LEGISLATORS TO ATTEND THE FESTIVITIES RELATED TO LIGHTING THE CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE ON THE WHITE HOUSE WEST LAWN.
WHEREAS, the tradition of the United States capitol Christmas tree, or "the people's tree", began in 1964 when the speaker of the United States house of representatives John W. McCormack placed a live Christmas tree on the capitol lawn, which lived for three years before succumbing to wind and root damage; and
WHEREAS, since 1970, a different national forest has been chosen to provide the United States capitol Christmas tree; and
WHEREAS, for 2019, the Questa ranger district of the Carson national forest has been chosen to select a seventy-five foot tall evergreen tree to decorate the United States capitol's west lawn during the first week of December; and
WHEREAS, the tree, a gift from New Mexico, will remain lit through January 2, 2020; and
WHEREAS, once cut in early November, the tree will be exhibited in a number of New Mexico communities before a cross-country journey to Washington, D.C., making stops for special events in communities along the way; and
WHEREAS, ten thousand handmade ornaments made in New Mexico will decorate the tree and an additional seventy companion trees for offices throughout Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, projects to make ornaments are ongoing and legislators and residents of counties, tribal governments, municipalities and schools are encouraged to participate in ornament making; and
WHEREAS, a free trip to Washington, D.C. will be awarded to a New Mexico student in a youth writing contest, with the winner selected by the governor; and
WHEREAS, the theme of a tree "delivering enchantment" represents the rich traditional culture and the diversity of communities in New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, "delivering enchantment" highlights the importance of healthy forests in New Mexico that provide recreational opportunities, economic value from many ski industries and a vital water source to the farming communities and cities along the Rio Grande;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the importance of the Carson national forest being chosen to provide the 2019 United States capitol Christmas tree be recognized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that legislators and residents of counties, tribal governments, municipalities and schools are encouraged to participate in ornament making; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico legislators are urged to attend the festivities related to the tree lighting of the United States capitol Christmas tree on the White House west lawn; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the executive director of New Mexico counties, the secretary of public education, New Mexico's twenty-three Indian nations, tribes and pueblos, the chief of the United States forest service and the forest supervisor of the Carson national forest.
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