A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF GROUPS THAT FOSTER INTOLERANCE IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, the constitution of the state of New Mexico begins with the words: "We, the people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a state government, do ordain and establish this constitution"; and

     WHEREAS, Article 2, Section 4 of the constitution of New Mexico guarantees that certain rights are inherent and that "all persons are born equally free, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights, among which are the rights of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of seeking and obtaining safety and happiness"; and

     WHEREAS, the constitution of New Mexico also guarantees that every New Mexican will enjoy the right of religious freedom and that "no person shall ever be molested or denied any civil or political right or privilege on account of his religious opinion or mode of religious worship"; and

     WHEREAS, as inheritors of the guarantees of liberty handed down from the founders of the nation and underscored by the founders of this state, it is the duty of all New Mexicans to be vigilant against the growing threat to those fundamental guarantees; and

     WHEREAS, operating in New Mexico today are certain groups that advocate racism, ethnic and religious bigotry, including anti-Semitism, and other forms of bigotry that militate against the common prayer that our state manifest "perfect friendship among united cultures"; and

     WHEREAS, it is in the public interest that such groups be identified and studied in an effort to enhance public safety and reduce the likelihood of terrorism and danger to all New Mexicans;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico highlands university be requested to conduct a study to determine if, and to what extent, there exist in New Mexico groups, such as white supremacist and similar hate groups, that advocate racism, ethnic and religious bigotry, including anti-Semitism, or other forms of bigotry and to identify the rhetoric, organizational names and locations of those groups, if applicable; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico highlands university report the findings of its study to the appropriate interim committee of the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the president of New Mexico highlands university.