HOUSE MEMORIAL 4
56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023
INTRODUCED BY
Christine Trujillo
A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2023 AS "LABOR HISTORY MONTH".
WHEREAS, New Mexico's culture is influenced by historical labor movements that developed out of a need to protect the collective needs of workers; and
WHEREAS, historical labor movements have been part of important advances in gender and racial equality; and
WHEREAS, labor unions have been instrumental in improving working conditions and pay as well as addressing social and community needs, including access to healthy food, sanitation and education; and
WHEREAS, organized labor in New Mexico grew in the 1880s as railroad workers formed the knights of labor and teachers formed the territorial education association, now known as the national education association of New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico's workforce represents industry in the public sector, transportation, utilities, construction, information and manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, according to the bureau of labor statistics of the United States department of labor, in 2021, nine and one-tenth percent of New Mexico's population was represented by unions; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico ranked thirtieth among all states for the share of the workforce represented by unions; and
WHEREAS, it is important to recognize the significance of the history of labor;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor be requested to designate the month of September 2023 as "Labor History Month" in New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the importance of understanding the history of labor be recognized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that school districts be encouraged to commemorate the month with appropriate educational exercises that make students aware of the role of the labor movement in New Mexico and the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department consider the study of labor history, from the Spanish colonial period to the present day, in educational curriculum selection; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and the secretary of public education.
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