44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO THE NATIONAL STATUARY HALL COMMISSION; REMOVING THE INSTRUCTION THAT A STATUE OF POPÉ BE DESIGNED AND CREATED FOR PLACEMENT IN THE NATIONAL STATUARY HALL; PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGN AND CREATION OF A STATUE COMMEMORATING THE NAVAJO CODE TALKERS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 12-3-16 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1997, Chapter 177, Section 2) is amended to read:

"12-3-16. DUTIES.--The statuary hall commission shall:

A. meet at the call of the governor but shall meet no fewer than four times per year;

B. determine the process necessary for New Mexico to have a second statue placed in the national statuary hall; C. develop procedures for the funding of the second statue and raise funds to commission the design, creation and transport of a statue to be placed in the national statuary hall through the creation of a foundation for the acceptance of gifts, donations, bequests and proceeds from appropriate fundraising events in accordance with the provisions of the act of July 2, 1864 (40 U.S.C. 187); and

[D. commission the design and creation of a statue of the illustrious San Juan pueblo Indian strategist and warrior Popé, who was renowned, respected and revered by the Native Americans of New Mexico as the leader of the pueblo revolt of 1680 and who would be the second Native American to be honored with placement of a statue in the national statuary hall;]

D. commission the design and creation of a statue commemorating the Navajo code talkers who rendered unique and invaluable service in the Pacific theatre during World War II. The statue may be a composite that represents all the Navajo soldiers and marines who served as code talkers or may portray the likeness of an individual Navajo code talker in recognition of his individual military service and as a tribute to the heroic role played by all the Navajo code talkers who honored our state and the United States by their service. In the event that the commission is unable to commission the design and creation of a statue commemorating the Navajo code talkers, it shall prepare a report for the consideration of the second session of the forty-fourth legislature that sets forth a list of not less than three persons and not more than five persons to be considered for a statue in the national statuary hall."