SENATE MEMORIAL 40
54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020
INTRODUCED BY
Elizabeth "Liz” Stefanics
A MEMORIAL
DECLARING FEBRUARY 4, 2020 "SMOKEY BEAR DAY" IN THE SENATE.
WHEREAS, one spring day in 1950, a wildfire broke out in the Capitan mountains of New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, as crews from New Mexico and Texas battled the blaze, they received a report of a lone bear cub seen wandering near the fire line; and
WHEREAS, about thirty of the firefighters were trapped directly in the path of the fire storm but survived the fire; and
WHEREAS, the little cub took refuge in a charred tree, escaping the fire but suffering badly burned paws and hind legs; and
WHEREAS, the crew removed the cub from the tree, and the cub was flown to Santa Fe where a veterinarian treated and bandaged the cub's burns; and
WHEREAS, the cub found a home at the national zoo in Washington, D.C., and was recognized as the living symbol of Smokey Bear; and
WHEREAS, upon Smokey Bear's death in 1976, he was returned to New Mexico and was buried at the Smokey Bear historical park in Capitan; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Bear continues to be one of the most-loved ambassadors for fire prevention, with a legacy that remains relevant to this day; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Bear's seventy-fifth birthday was celebrated on August 9, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Bear was so popular that the United States postal service gave him his own postage stamp, and he is the only "person" to have his own zip code besides the president; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Bear's signature phrase "only you can prevent wildfires" is part of the American lexicon; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Bear's message resonates today with nearly nine out of ten wildfires nationwide caused by humans; and
WHEREAS, Smokey Bear's unique and important role is focused on preventing unwanted, human-caused wildfires by educating the public and encouraging them to be responsible;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 4, 2020 be designated "Smokey Bear Day" in the senate in recognition of the ongoing urgency of reducing wildfires; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, the forestry division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department and the Capitan division and the chief of the United States forest service.
- 3 -