WASHINGTON - The New Mexico congressional delegation has won support for a resolution honoring New Mexico's 100th anniversary as a state.
The resolution, cosponsored by all five members of the delegation, was introduced in both chambers of Congress. Only the Senate votes on resolutions; the New Mexico centennial resolution was approved today by unanimous consent.
"New Mexico has made numerous contributions to our country in its first hundred years as a state. On our centennial anniversary, this resolution officially recognizes the extraordinary history and heritage of our state and commends the contributions of all New Mexicans," U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman said.
"New Mexico is a land of deep roots and a mosaic of cultures," said U.S. Senator Tom Udall. "The vitality and creativity of our people are as strong as ever, and working together we will meet the challenges of our state and our nation. In this year of our centennial, we celebrate our unique history, and we look forward to a bright future."
"Home to some of the earliest human settlements in North America, New Mexicans have spent this year celebrating our state's remarkable history, our tremendous cultural diversity, and our meaningful contributions to the nation and the world. From the fertile Rio Grande Valley, to the vast Chihuahuan Desert, to the peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico's natural beauty is unsurpassed," said Rep. Martin Heinrich. "As we continue to celebrate our centennial year, I join with all New Mexicans in honoring our unique heritage and our bright future."
"Today, we celebrate and honor New Mexico on its centennial anniversary. Despite New Mexico's youth as a state, it is one of the richest states in the nation when it comes to diversity, heritage, history, and cooperation. However, above all New Mexico is richest in tradition. The tradition of hard work, faith, family, freedom, and service to others is what truly defines New Mexico. This tradition defines the very core of every New Mexican. I, as all New Mexicans should be, am honored to call myself a resident of the great state of New Mexico," said Rep. Steve Pearce.
"As we commemorate New Mexico's centennial anniversary, we celebrate our long and rich heritage that is rooted in the shared history of a diverse population - from Spanish, Mexican, and Native American cultures among many more," said Rep. Ben Ray Luján. "We are reminded of how special this beautiful land we call home is and how as a land of faith and family, culture and tradition, our special love for our land and water helps shape our lives. New Mexico is blessed with a rich culture, unique traditions, and an enduring spirit that make our history such a special story."
Click here to view a video of Sen. Udall recognizing the centennial on the Senate floor.
The text of the New Mexico centennial resolution ( S.RES.585 ) follows:
Recognizing the extraordinary history and heritage of the State of New Mexico, and honoring and commending the State of New Mexico and its people on its centennial anniversary.
Whereas New Mexico has a rich heritage and history, dating as far back as 11,000 B.C. when the Clovis people left the earliest evidence of human existence in what is now New Mexico;
Whereas Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, was established in1610 and is the oldest capital city in the United States, as well as the highest in elevation at 7,000 feet above sea level;
Whereas, on September 9, 1850, the portion of the Compromise of 1850 (9 Stat. 446) that created the New Mexico Territory was enacted;
Whereas, on January 6, 1912, President William Howard Taft signed the proclamation making New Mexico the 47th State of the Union;
Whereas the nickname of New Mexico is the ‘‘Land of Enchantment'' because of its scenic beauty and rich history and culture;
Whereas the natural wonder of New Mexico is preserved by a broad range of national parks, forests, wilderness areas, and wildlife refuge centers;
Whereas the diverse cultural roots of New Mexico come from the many different groups of people who have inhabited the State, notably the strong tribal and Hispanic cultural influences in the State;
Whereas New Mexico has one of the richest indigenous tribal populations in the United States, including 19 Pueblo nations, 2 Apache nations, and the Navajo Nation;
Whereas the Hispanic population of New Mexico has rich and distinct cultural roots in its historic land grants as recognized by the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits, and Settlement between the United States and Mexico, signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo February 2, 1848, and entered into force May 30, 1848 (9. Stat. 922) (commonly referred to as the ‘‘Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo'');
Whereas New Mexico continues to derive strength from the new Hispanic communities in the State with roots in Latin America; Whereas New Mexico has an extensive variety of prehistoric tribal, and Hispanic archaeological ruins;
Whereas New Mexico has a long tradition of artistic expression inspired by its natural beauty, unique architecture, and diverse people;
Whereas the people of New Mexico have a proud history of military service, predating and continuing after statehood, including the participation of the people of New Mexico in every major war of the United States since the Civil War, with notable participation by the people of New Mexico in Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, the Navajo Code Talkers, the defense of Bataan and Corregidor, the wars in Korea and Vietnam, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan;
Whereas New Mexico is a center for scientific innovation and laboratory research, serving as the home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories;
Whereas, on July 16, 1945, the United States Army conducted the Trinity test, the first test of a nuclear weapon, which was developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory and tested at the White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico;
Whereas, in 1980, New Mexico dedicated the Very Large Array, one of the world's premier astronomical radio observatories that studies the history of the universe;
Whereas, in October 2011, New Mexico dedicated Spaceport America, propelling New Mexico into the future with the first commercial spaceport;
Whereas New Mexico is home to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon event in the world, which is also considered to be the most photographed event in the world;
Whereas New Mexico has a long history of agricultural sustainability and productivity, supporting cattle and dairy, as well as many crops, including chile, corn, wheat, onions, peanuts, pistachios, pecans, hay, cotton, and beans;
Whereas the Hatch Valley of New Mexico, known as the ‘‘Chile Capital of the World'', is recognized worldwide for its bountiful chile crop; and
Whereas New Mexico celebrated the centennial anniversary of its admission to the Union as the 47th State of the United States on January 6, 2012: Now, therefore, be it resolved,
That the Senate recognizes the extraordinary history and heritage of the State of New Mexico, and honors and commends the State of New Mexico and its people on its centennial anniversary.
