HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 38

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas A. Garcia

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CREATE AN INTERIM VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

     WHEREAS, there are approximately two hundred thousand veterans and active duty members of the United States armed forces and the New Mexico national guard who reside in this state; and

     WHEREAS, from 2001 through 2008, approximately five thousand two hundred members of the New Mexico national guard were activated and deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign locations in support of the war on terror; and

     WHEREAS, in 2009, it is anticipated that approximately eight hundred fifty members of the New Mexico national guard will be activated and deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign locations in support of the war on terror; and

     WHEREAS, the adjutant general is the head of the department of military affairs and is a member of the governor's cabinet; and

     WHEREAS, the veterans' services department was created in 2004 as a cabinet-level department; and

     WHEREAS, veterans' and military affairs are key policy issues for the legislature; and

     WHEREAS, numerous bills related to veterans' and military issues have been introduced in recent sessions of the legislature; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes an overdue need to focus on veterans' and military affairs; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes a responsibility to coordinate legislative initiatives related to veterans' and military affairs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to create an interim veterans' and military affairs committee to work with the veterans' services department, the department of military affairs and related agencies to make recommendations for legislative initiatives to address the findings of the committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interim veterans' and military affairs committee develop recommendations by November 30, 2009 to assist the appropriate state agencies in formulating legislative proposals necessary to implement the recommendations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of veterans' services, the adjutant general of the department of military affairs and the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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