HOUSE MEMORIAL 53

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

James Roger Madalena

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE PUEBLO OF ZIA TO THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO FOR THE USE OF ITS SACRED AND RELIGIOUS TRIBAL SYMBOL KNOWN AS THE "ZIA SUN SYMBOL" ON THE FLAG OF NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, in the early 1920s, the local chapter of the daughters of the American revolution, backed by several women's clubs, decided that the state of New Mexico needed a flag that was more representative of New Mexico's unique character and initiated a design contest; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Harry Mera won the contest with a flag that incorporated colors and patterns from both Indian and Spanish traditions; and

     WHEREAS, to symbolize New Mexico's tradition of cultural diversity, Dr. Mera adapted the sacred sun symbol from a Pueblo of Zia vase and adorned it with the red and gold colors of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain; and

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico, through its legislative process, formally adopted the flag with the sacred Zia sun symbol in 1925, and it has continuously flown over the state since that time, displaying a symbol of "perfect friendship among united cultures"; and

     WHEREAS, all accounts of the flag explicitly acknowledge the origin of the design as an ancient symbol of the Zia people; and

     WHEREAS, the Zia sun symbol has been continuously commercialized and utilized over the years by private interests that have recognized its commercial value and adopted it for their own benefit; and

     WHEREAS, harmony among New Mexico's cultures and the mutual respect toward traditions and sacred symbols need to be strengthened in order to close the circle of unity;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it acknowledge the Zia sun symbol as an "ancient and sacred symbol of the Zia people"; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the house of representatives express its appreciation to the Pueblo of Zia as the state celebrates the one hundredth anniversary of statehood; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state work in collaboration with the Pueblo of Zia to develop alternative ways of establishing reconciliation, mutual understanding and cooperation with respect to the use of the sacred Zia sun symbol; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the governor of the Pueblo of Zia and the governor of New Mexico.

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