HOUSE MEMORIAL 4

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Joanne J. Ferrary and Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson and

Christine Trujillo and Natalie Figueroa and

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS; PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 6, 2020 "LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters was founded on February 14, 1920, six months before the nineteenth amendment to the United States constitution was ratified; and

     WHEREAS, the nineteenth amendment to the United States constitution established women's right to vote; and

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters grew out of the suffrage and equal rights movements that started in 1848; and

     WHEREAS, the original purpose of the league of women voters was to educate the twenty-seven million newly enfranchised women about their civic responsibilities as voters and to promote their understanding of government; and

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters continues its mission to promote understanding of major policy issues through its educational efforts; and

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters continues to influence public policy through education and advocacy; and

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government to strengthen democracy; and     WHEREAS, the league of women voters formulates its positions on political issues after careful research, reflecting consensus on sound policy decision-making principles; and

     WHEREAS, advocacy efforts have resulted in improvements to education, health care, human rights, natural resource stewardship, election reform, ethics and campaign finance regulation; and

     WHEREAS, efforts to advance accountability and increase transparency have resulted in legislative action and improvements in state and local governments; and

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters' motto states that "democracy is not a spectator sport" because civic involvement creates more responsive and responsible government; and

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters has encouraged millions of voters to carry out their responsibilities by publishing voter guides and conducting forums and debates that allow candidates for public office to present their views in a nonpartisan environment; and

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters continues to study all sides of issues of public concern to build consensus within the league and to inform New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters furthers its members' engagement in nonpartisan political action and shapes public policy in agreement with its adopted positions; and

     WHEREAS, the league of women voters continues to advocate for responsible and responsive government for the general welfare of the residents of New Mexico and the United States;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the league of women voters be congratulated on its one hundredth anniversary and that February 6, 2020 be proclaimed "League of Women Voters Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Hannah Burling, president of the league of women voters of New Mexico.

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