A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING GEORGE WASHINGTON, THE FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN, WHO REFUSED TO LET THE UNITED STATES BE SACRIFICED OVER REGIONAL STRIFE, ON THE OCCASION OF PRESIDENTS' DAY ON FEBRUARY 21, 2005.

     WHEREAS, the third Monday in February was designated "Presidents' Day" by President Nixon in 1971; and

     WHEREAS, Presidents' Day honors the birthdays of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, both of which occur in the month of February; and

     WHEREAS, this is an appropriate honor for these two distinguished leaders of our country; and

     WHEREAS, George Washington was a prime mover to draft a constitution to replace the inadequate Articles of Confederation and, in his farewell address, he urged his countrymen to forswear excessive party spirit and geographical distinctions, an admonition that remains timely; and

     WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln led the country during the Civil War, one of the most tragic and divisive periods in American history; created the poignant and profound Gettysburg Address; and ultimately was denied a continuing role in a post-Civil War America by an assassin's bullet on April 14, 1865, just five days after Robert E. Lee's surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox court house;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexicans be requested to remember on February 21, 2005 the two great Americans to whom this day is dedicated.