SENATE MEMORIAL 41

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

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING ELENA GIACCI FOR HER TIRELESS WORK SERVING VICTIMS OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

     WHEREAS, Elena Giacci is a proud Diné woman and a native of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Elena has dedicated herself to serving victims of sexual and domestic violence for twenty-eight years; and

     WHEREAS, Elena is a development and training director on sexual and intimate partner violence issues throughout North America and a strong advocate for American Indian and Alaskan native people and has worked with many diverse communities; and

     WHEREAS, Elena began her career in 1989 as a hospital advocate with the Albuquerque rape crisis center and designed the first domestic violence training program for the income support division of the human services department; and

     WHEREAS, Elena volunteered with the prestigious and nationally recognized Albuquerque police department domestic abuse response team, served as the president of the board of directors for the rape crisis center of central New Mexico and was chair of the New Mexico intimate partner violence death review team; and

     WHEREAS, Elena has served as the executive director of the state coalition to stop violence against native women, co-chair of Albuquerque mayor Martin Chavez's sexual assault task force, a member of the New Mexico governor's victims rights alliance and chair of the coalition to stop violence against women and children; and

     WHEREAS, Elena was one of the team leaders for the national Indian health service's domestic violence clinic demonstration project, which worked with more than one hundred Indian, tribal and urban health care facilities as well as domestic violence programs across the United States to improve the health care system response to domestic violence; and

     WHEREAS, Elena was co-investigator with Dr. Elizabeth Miller in the research study by the national institute of child health and human development: Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion among Native American Women; and

     WHEREAS, Elena was the national faculty leader for the five-year Native project 2.0, in cooperation with the national organization, futures without violence; and

     WHEREAS, Elena produced policy and protocols that improved public health responses to domestic and sexual violence in American Indian women's health programs; and

     WHEREAS, Elena was the recipient of the young women's Christian association women on the move award in recognition of women who provide leadership and make significant contributions to their community; and

     WHEREAS, Elena was awarded the 2012 FIRE, fueling increasingly relevant education, award in recognition of community leaders promoting social justice and equality; and

     WHEREAS, Elena is also a trainer working with media and developing media relations for topics related to domestic and sexual violence; and

     WHEREAS, since 1999, Elena has produced and directed a "Stop the Violence" television show in Albuquerque; and

     WHEREAS, Elena is currently chair of Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry's domestic violence sexual assault task force, where she and members of the task force created the first Albuquerque police department national model for limited English policies; and

     WHEREAS, this model has been followed up with training of the Albuquerque police department cadets on understanding cultural and diversity issues; and

     WHEREAS, Elena will spend whatever time is needed to advocate for a victim and will use every ounce of her voice and breath to support those who have suffered great trauma; and

     WHEREAS, Elena is dedicating her time to the subject of historical trauma, oppression and violence against women; and

     WHEREAS, Elena attributes her knowledge in advocacy to the numerous women, men and children who have honored her with their stories and friendship;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Elena Giacci be recognized for her tireless work serving victims of sexual and domestic violence; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Elena Giacci.

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