SENATE MEMORIAL 83

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

William H. Payne

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING MARCH 11, 2019 "MILITARY AND VETERANS' DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, this nation was founded on the belief that Americans are guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and

     WHEREAS, the freedom Americans enjoy does not come without a price, as it is protected by those who have served in the United States armed forces; and

     WHEREAS, America's brave military men and women have sacrificed to preserve and protect America's way of life from all enemies, both foreign and domestic; and

     WHEREAS, throughout New Mexico's history, military service has been important to New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, during pre-statehood territorial days, farmers and landowners helped the union army stop the spread of the confederacy at the battle of Glorieta during the Civil War; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans have readily answered the nation's call to arms, from World War I to the most recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has consistently ranked among the highest per capita rates of service by any state in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, with five military bases within New Mexico's borders today, along with eleven thousand active-duty personnel, more than five thousand reserve and national guard members and one hundred fifty-six thousand veterans, the military and veteran presence continues to be a vital part of the fabric of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, veterans have a major impact on New Mexico's economy, and account for one billion five hundred million dollars ($1,500,000,000) in benefits, services and expenditures by the United States department of veterans affairs in the state; and

     WHEREAS, the average income of a veteran in New Mexico is forty thousand dollars ($40,000), seventeen thousand dollars ($17,000) more than non-veteran wage earners; and

     WHEREAS, there are twenty-five thousand veteran-owned businesses in New Mexico, accounting for nearly six billion five hundred million dollars ($6,500,000,000) in economic activity, and after veterans have served their country, they continue to serve New Mexico's economy;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that March 11, 2019 be declared "Military and Veterans' Day" in the senate to acknowledge and honor the service, sacrifice and overall impact of this nation's active-duty service members and veterans in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the governor, the adjutant general and the secretary of veterans' services.

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