HOUSE MEMORIAL 29

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Bill McCamley

A MEMORIAL

HONORING GEORGE R.R. MARTIN FOR SCREENING "THE INTERVIEW".

     WHEREAS, George R.R. Martin, a resident of Santa Fe since 1979, is one of the city's most recognized residents; and

     WHEREAS, George is best known as the author of "A Song of Ice and Fire", which is the basis for the popular television hit series, "Game of Thrones"; and

     WHEREAS, George is a prolific writer, with literary forays into science fiction, fantasy and horror; and

     WHEREAS, George has received several Nebula and Hugo awards for his writing, as well as a Bram Stoker award for his first novel, and has been a television screenwriter; and

     WHEREAS, George is also a staunch supporter of the Santa Fe cultural scene, reopening the Jean Cocteau cinema as an alternative film and performing arts space in 2013; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to screening first-run, offbeat and cutting-edge films, the Jean Cocteau cinema also hosts live performances and interviews with authors, actors and filmmakers; and

     WHEREAS, in December 2014, Sony corporation pulled distribution from major theaters of the film "The Interview", a comedy about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un; and

     WHEREAS, Sony corporation withdrew the film in reaction to terrorist threats that the United States government attributed to North Korea; and

     WHEREAS, George was one of the first independent film houses to book "The Interview", with showings that began with sold-out crowds on Christmas day; and

     WHEREAS, on his online blog, George championed free speech, decried censorship and praised other independent movie theaters for having the courage to show "The Interview";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that George R.R. Martin be honored for screening "The Interview" when Sony corporation withdrew distribution of the film; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that George R.R. Martin be recognized for his passionate support of free speech; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to George R.R. Martin.