A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES PROGRAM.

     WHEREAS, the court-appointed special advocates program was established in the first judicial district ten years ago; and

     WHEREAS, court-appointed special advocates assist the courts in determining the best interests of abused, neglected or abandoned children and serve the children by becoming the eyes and ears of the court; and

     WHEREAS, court-appointed special advocates are volunteers who become sworn officers of the court; and

     WHEREAS, these court-appointed volunteers monitor the care of children in the court's custody, providing a voice for the children's safety and well-being; and

     WHEREAS, a court-appointed special advocate takes the time to find out as much as possible about each child by conducting interviews, reviewing records and talking to the children and their parents; and

     WHEREAS, by advocating for abused, neglected or abandoned children, a court-appointed special advocate helps to minimize juvenile delinquency and to maximize the children's opportunities for successful placement, thereby breaking the vicious cycle of abuse and decreasing the likelihood that the children will end up in prison;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the volunteers in the first judicial district court-appointed special advocates program deserve honor, recognition and gratitude for their thousands of hours of service in preserving the safety of and providing hope for the future of New Mexico's abused, neglected and abandoned children; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the first judicial district court.