HOUSE MEMORIAL 23

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024

INTRODUCED BY

Jenifer Jones and Luis M. Terrazas

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING JANUARY 25, 2024 "HIDALGO COUNTY DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

 

     WHEREAS, the city of Lordsburg, the village of Virden and Hidalgo county are the southwestern gateway to New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Hidalgo county borders Arizona and Mexico and was created from the southwest portion of Grant county in 1919; and

     WHEREAS, Hidalgo county was named for a Mexican patriot and Roman catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a leader of the Mexican war of independence who is known as "the father of the nation" in Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Hidalgo county was the home of Chiricahua Apache chief Geronimo; and

     WHEREAS, during World War II, Hidalgo county was designated as a bombing range for pilots in training, and remains of the bombing can be seen today; and

     WHEREAS, Hidalgo county is known as the "boot heel" of New Mexico, boasting two ghost towns, a geothermal generating plant and abundant opportunities for bird watching and hiking; and

     WHEREAS, the Continental Divide trail begins in Hidalgo county, with its trailhead at Crazy Cook mountain; and

     WHEREAS, Hidalgo county is rich in minerals, including copper and gold, and some abandoned mines can be seen today; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico institute of mining and technology's Playas training and research center is in Hidalgo county; and

     WHEREAS, Hidalgo county includes two incorporated communities, the city of Lordsburg and the village of Virden, and unincorporated communities Animas, Cotton City, Rodeo, Playas, Franklin and Windmill; and

     WHEREAS, Hidalgo county has two public school districts: the Animas public school district, home of the panthers, and the Lordsburg municipal school district, home of the mavericks; and

     WHEREAS, Hidalgo county is home to world champion bull rider Owen Washburn and sports shooter Todd Bensley, who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic games; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Lordsburg was incorporated in 1880 on the route of the southern Pacific railroad; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Lordsburg is the site of New Mexico's first airport, and is also recognized as the place where a portion of the New Mexico state song was written; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Lordsburg is the county seat of Hidalgo county; and

     WHEREAS, the village of Virden, previously known as Richmond, was incorporated in 1916; and

     WHEREAS, the village of Virden is the northern agricultural hub of Hidalgo county and the picturesque Gila river flows through it; and

     WHEREAS, Hidalgo county has a fascinating history and is a unique part of the American southwest;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that January 25, 2024 be proclaimed "Hidalgo County Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the mayor and members of the city council of the city of Lordsburg, the mayor and members of the village council of the village of Virden and the Hidalgo county board of county commissioners.

- 3 -