HOUSE MEMORIAL 21

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Rebecca Dow

A MEMORIAL

REMEMBERING WILLIAM MURRAY RYAN AND HONORING HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO GRANT COUNTY AND NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, William Murray Ryan, long-time New Mexico representative, passed away on January 7, 2017 in Silver City; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Ryan was the grandson of W.D. Murray, a New Mexico Republican who briefly served in both the New Mexico house of representatives and the New Mexico senate; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Ryan, a native of Grant county, was born on July 22, 1922 in Central, New Mexico, grew up in Silver City and graduated from St. Mary's academy, followed by two years at New Mexico state teacher's college, now known as western New Mexico university, before receiving an appointment to the United States military academy at West Point by United States Senator Dennis Chavez; and

     WHEREAS, shortly after graduating from West Point, Murray married his sweetheart, Marion Buchella, before being stationed in Germany until 1948, and then finally finishing his military service in the state of Washington in 1949; and

     WHEREAS, upon moving home to Silver City, Representative Ryan combined several business careers, including ownership of a Studebaker dealership, a wholesale liquor distributorship and employment at Kennecott copper corporation, with having five children with Marion and never forgetting what was really important: his wife, his family and his community; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Ryan first entered politics as a school board member in Silver City, and in 1968, despite the fact that a Republican from that district had not been elected to the New Mexico house of representatives in fifty years, Murray took up the challenge, campaigning incessantly in the mining district and winning the seat; and

     WHEREAS, Murray began his long and illustrious career in 1969, serving district 38, covering Grant, Luna and Sierra counties for fifteen two-year terms, and he was the longest-serving house Republican at the time of his resignation in 1998; and

     WHEREAS, during his first term, Representative Ryan was named to the house taxation and revenue committee, on which he served until he retired; and

     WHEREAS, in 1973, Representative Ryan became the state chairman of the Republican party, and although he was a conservative, he declined to support the conservative coalition because he did not believe that coalitions make for good government, and then he demonstrated his independence and his consistent principles by also refusing any offers of chairmanships or vice chairmanships when the "loyalist" Democrats returned to power; and

     WHEREAS, during his legislative tenure, Representative Ryan secured funding for many community projects, including the acquisition of emergency medical surgical equipment, a senior center in San Lorenzo, a visitors' center in Silver City and community services, particularly those services helping children and disabled adults; and

     WHEREAS, Murray was a staunch supporter of western New Mexico university, spearheading funding for nursing and occupational therapy programs and renovations to Watts hall, the fine arts center theater and Miller library; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Ryan was also an active member of many local organizations, including the St. Francis Newman center, Silver City rotary, American legion, elks lodge and Grant county farm bureau; and

     WHEREAS, in recognition of all his contributions, western New Mexico university bestowed upon Representative Ryan in 1998 an honorary degree of doctor of human letters, and Silver City honored him by dedicating the city's visitors' center in his name; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Ryan is often remembered by his colleagues as a rare individual and a true gentleman who was always interested in the opinions of others, whether he agreed with them or not; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Ryan had a long and enduring love for Grant county and devoted his life to the people of southwestern New Mexico, whether it was serving as a little league coach for youngsters from all parts of Silver City or responding with a smile to anyone who called him for help; he could truly be called "Mr. Grant County";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Representative William Murray Ryan be remembered and honored for his significant public service contributions to New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the family of William Murray Ryan — his sons Murray and Kerry and his daughters Kathleen and Robin — and to his friend Janet Sherman. 

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