SENATE MEMORIAL 47

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

HONORING SENATOR CYNTHIA NAVA AND RECOGNIZING HER SIGNIFICANT SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEW MEXICO.

 

     WHEREAS, Senator Cynthia Nava, a fierce advocate for educational initiatives, retired from the senate in 2012; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Nava, a Democrat, was first elected to the senate in 1993, representing District 31 in Dona Ana county; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Nava dedicated herself to public service for twenty years, serving five terms in the senate; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Nava, a former superintendent of the Gadsden independent school district, chaired the influential senate education committee from 1997 to 2012, having served as vice chair in 1994 and 1995 and as a member in 1993; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Nava received a bachelor of science and master's degrees in clinical psychology from western Illinois university and a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership and curriculum degree from New Mexico state university; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Nava was dedicated to the legislative process, serving on numerous committees, including finance in 1996, corporations and transportation from 2005 to 2008, public affairs from 2009 to 2012 and the committees' committee from 2005 to 2012; and

     WHEREAS, during the interim, Senator Nava continued her service as chair of the legislative education study committee and as a member of the excellence in higher education study committee and the educational commission of the states; and

     WHEREAS, in the span of her legislative career, Senator Nava was a very effective legislator, spearheading, in 2007, the Students with Disabilities Scholarship Act, the Mathematics and Science Education Act and lottery scholarships for military dependents and disabled students; in 2008, the New Mexico School for the Arts Act; and in 2011, bills requiring free school breakfast programs and the expansion of eligible pre-kindergarten providers; and

     WHEREAS, in 2005, under Senator Nava's leadership, the monumental passage of Senate Bill 582 allowed and opened up access for undocumented students to qualify for state and institutional financial aid; and

     WHEREAS, a student-driven campaign for the passage of Senate Bill 582 was coordinated by somos un pueblo unido; and

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill 582 also allowed public post-secondary educational institutions to administer state financial aid to undocumented students; and

     WHEREAS, the legislation also allowed undocumented students to be eligible for the legislative lottery scholarship; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Nava's mentorship and support played a vital role in her intern, Cindy Nava, who is of no relation, becoming the first former deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient to obtain a White House presidential appointment in 2022; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Nava's work to expand access to the New Mexico legislative lottery scholarship to the state's immigrant students has changed the lives of countless families and communities, forever benefiting from Senator Nava's efforts; and

     WHEREAS, during her legislative tenure, Senator Nava's Gadsden independent school district made great improvements for the underserved students in the district; and

     WHEREAS, among Senator Nava's deepest passions are the culinary delights that come out of her kitchen; and

     WHEREAS, her famous homemade bread, green chile sauce and incomparable creme brulee garner rave reviews whenever they are served; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Nava basks in the company of her daughters, Alejandra "Allie" Nava, Emiliana "Mima" Nava and Xochitl "Xoch" Nava, and her husband, Ron Curry; and

     WHEREAS, no task is ever too large and no battle ever too tough to tackle for Senator Nava;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Senator Cynthia Nava be honored for her significant contributions to New Mexico and her unwavering dedication in assisting the underserved students of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Senator Cynthia Nava.

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