DECLARING MARCH 1 AS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DAY IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, community colleges in New Mexico are strategically located around the state for easy access to the post-secondary and lifelong learning needs of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, community colleges now educate and train fifty-three thousand New Mexicans in credit programs, or fifty-three percent of the total higher education student population, and another estimated seventy-five thousand New Mexicans in noncredit adult and continuing education; and

WHEREAS, community colleges play an important role in local, regional and statewide efforts in literacy training, work force development, economic development and welfare reform; and

WHEREAS, community colleges are committed to teaching excellence and produce students who excel in their academic and career development;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that in recognition of the importance of community colleges in New Mexico, March 1, 1999 be designated "community college day" in the legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the nominated community college academic all-state team consisting of the following students be recognized by the house of representatives:

Cheryle Haley and Janet Vidal, Albuquerque technical-vocational institute; Laura Chavez and Brian Gamble, Clovis community college; Senaida Herrera, eastern New Mexico university, Roswell; Allene Hamilton and Kimberly Brock, eastern New Mexico university, Ruidoso; Brendaleigh Lobato and Eufemia Brenda Medina, Luna vocational-technical institute; Monica Banuelos and Jason Lincoln, Mesa technical college; Angel Rocha, New Mexico military institute; Cindy Langwell, New Mexico state university, Alamogordo; Marilyn Gossett and Collin Langlitz, New Mexico state university, Carlsbad; Laura Fenn and Kathy Rhodes, New Mexico state university, Dona Ana; Rose Gordon and Nancy Martinez, Northern New Mexico community college; Benjamin Boucher and Darlene Dobey, San Juan college; Hayden Engelke and Jessica Fleming-Purcell, Santa Fe community college; Sharon Letterman-Norris and Mario Vigil, university of New Mexico, Los Alamos; Erlinda Gonzales, university of New Mexico, Taos; and Laquie Campbell and Charles Wroten, university of New Mexico, Valencia.