52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

DECLARING FEBRUARY 10, 2016 "NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT DAY" IN THE SENATE.

WHEREAS, New Mexico has a vibrant, world-class food and beverage scene; and

WHEREAS, whether diners are looking for a dining experience that is worthy of a James Beard award or for a dining experience at an authentic dive off the beaten path, New Mexico delivers; and

WHEREAS, restaurants are a driving economic force in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, according to statistics from the New Mexico restaurant association, restaurants accounted for eighty-seven thousand jobs in New Mexico and eleven percent of employment in the state; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, there were three thousand three hundred seventeen eating and drinking establishments in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, three billion three hundred million dollars ($3,300,000,000) was spent in New Mexico restaurants; and

WHEREAS, restaurants in New Mexico are projected to employ ninety-six thousand seven hundred people by 2025, which is an eleven and one-tenths percent increase over 2015 figures; and

WHEREAS, half of all adult New Mexicans have worked in the restaurant industry at some point during their lives, and one out of three New Mexicans got their first job in a restaurant; and

WHEREAS, restaurants employ more minority managers than any other industry; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico restaurateurs are rightfully proud to hold records for the world's largest flat enchilada and the world's largest green chile cheeseburger; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's restaurants showcase and feature many New Mexican food and beverage products, from green chile to pinon nuts to pecan beer and green chile vodka, allowing New Mexico restaurants to introduce visitors to the pleasures of New Mexico's unique offerings; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's restaurants support many and various student educational opportunities, from the high school "ProStart" program to culinary training programs at community colleges to college-level culinary and management programs at the state's universities; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico restaurant association sponsored the first-ever New Mexico house of representatives versus senate chile cook-off during the 2015 legislative session; and

WHEREAS, each year, the New Mexico hospitality awards celebrate the efforts of restaurateurs, chefs, managers and employees who give back to their communities; and

WHEREAS, the question most often asked in New Mexico restaurants, "Red or green?", is also the official state question, and "Christmas" is served all year long;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 10, 2016 be declared "New Mexico Restaurant Day" in the senate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the chief executive officer of the New Mexico restaurant association.