RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SMALL MANUFACTURERS TO THE NEW MEXICO ECONOMY AND REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO PROCLAIM 1999 THE YEAR OF THE SMALL MANUFACTURER.

WHEREAS, no sector of the American economy represents this country's spirit of free enterprise, ingenuity and initiative more than its three hundred eighty thousand small manufacturers; and

WHEREAS, small manufacturers make up more than ninety-eight percent of all manufacturers in the United States and employ more than twelve million two hundred thousand people; and

WHEREAS, there are more than one thousand eight hundred manufacturers in New Mexico, employing forty-eight thousand five hundred workers responsible for more than twenty percent of the New Mexico gross state product; and

WHEREAS, as large manufacturers increase their dependence on suppliers for parts and services, the performance and capabilities of smaller manufacturers become even more critical to the competitiveness of the entire manufacturing sector and to the health of the economy; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's industry network corporation affiliated with the department of commerce's manufacturing extension partnership to play a key role in efforts to support small manufacturers; and

WHEREAS, Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley has declared 1999 to be the year of the small manufacturer;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it recognize New Mexico's small manufacturers, whose vitality and dedication to the American spirit of free enterprise have done so much for the prosperity of the economy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature request the governor to proclaim 1999 the year of the small manufacturer in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the governor.