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

REQUESTING THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO USE CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDS AS SEED MONEY FOR A WHEELS MUSEUM IN ALBUQUERQUE.

WHEREAS, few subjects have such universal appeal in the American fabric as freedom of movement and choice of transportation vehicles; and

WHEREAS, the American love affair with motor vehicles is a major contributor to our country's continuing economic growth; and

WHEREAS, Albuquerque, as a major city on the old United States route 66, plays a major part in the western expansion of highway travel; and

WHEREAS, the federal Transportation Equity Act includes a provision and funds for establishing transportation museums; and

WHEREAS, the city of Albuquerque is prepared to match dollar for dollar the state commitment of dollars to purchase the twenty-seven acre old Santa Fe railroad locomotive repair shop property on Second street; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of "the wheels museum" in Albuquerque would be a major international visitor attraction for the city and the state; and

WHEREAS, plans for "the wheels museum" include exhibits and displays of every known form of transportation, including rail transport engines and cars, passenger and freight, plus automotive vehicles, past, present and future; and

WHEREAS, such an institution would not only provide many jobs but would serve as an inspiration to youth to aim beyond simply owning their own vehicles to designing, engineering and constructing new forms of transportation; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman are co-sponsoring a bill to revive and renovate the old United States route 66 corridor, to which "the wheels museum" would be a perfect addition;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway and transportation department make application to the federal government for one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) and make a commitment to the city of Albuquerque for the use of those funds to purchase the old Santa Fe railroad locomotive repair shop property on Second street; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state highway and transportation department lend technical and all other appropriate assistance to the city of Albuquerque toward the development of "the wheels museum" on the site of the old Santa Fe railroad locomotive repair shop; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT copies of this memorial be sent to the governor, the state highway and transportation department, the mayor of the city of Albuquerque and to Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman.