HONORING OUR P0LICE OFFICERS AND JOINING WITH THE GOVERNOR IN PROCLAIMING THIS DAY NEW MEXICO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER DAY.

WHEREAS, police officers risk their lives every day in the line of duty to serve and protect the citizens of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, police officers give true witness to the belief that there is no greater love than that a man lay down his life for his friends; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's law enforcement officers are the thin blue line between law-abiding citizens and an increasingly dangerous criminal element; and

WHEREAS, this week of May has been declared National Police Memorial Week; and

WHEREAS, more than one hundred fifty-one police officers nationwide have been killed in the line of duty this year; and

WHEREAS, Officer Kelly F. Clark, Sierra county deputy sheriff and the only New Mexican officer to die in the line of duty this year, was killed March 4, 1999, during the regular legislative session, while transporting a prisoner; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature honors Officer Kelly F. Clark and all the officers who risk their lives for all of us;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislature join with the governor in declaring May 11 New Mexico Law Enforcement Officer Day in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the chief of the New Mexico state police and the president of the appropriate police

officers' associations.