SENATE MEMORIAL 24

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE STATE PARKS DIVISION OF THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIFY AND RECOMMEND A PUBLIC LOCATION TO COMMEMORATE THE LIFE AND WORK OF ROBERTO A. MONDRAGON FOR HIS POLITICAL ACTIVISM AND HIS DEDICATION TO PRESERVING AND MAINTAINING HISPANIC CULTURAL HERITAGE IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, Roberto A. Mondragon, a well-known and highly respected public figure with deep roots in the cultural and political life of northern New Mexico, and who served two terms as lieutenant governor of the state, died on January 7, 2026 in Espanola at age eighty-five; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto Mondragon was born on July 27, 1940 in Anton Chico, and grew up in the nearby small community of La Loma in Guadalupe county, and he always retained his roots in northern New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto Mondragon's humble beginnings shaped the values he carried throughout his life: hard work, humility, faith in people and an unshakable belief that leadership should serve everyday families; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto Mondragon began his political career serving as a Democratic state representative for Bernalillo county from 1967 to 1970, and served twice as lieutenant governor under former governor Bruce King, first from 1971 to 1975 and again from 1979 to 1983; and

     WHEREAS, in the two terms that he served as lieutenant governor, Roberto Mondragon became one of the most prominent Hispanic elected officials in the region. Across decades of public service, he championed workers and working families, rural communities, youth opportunity and dignity for elders. He was deeply committed to land grant-merced justice in New Mexico, and he worked to support land grant-merced heirs and community land grants-mercedes to protect communal lands and rights promised under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto Mondragon was often described as an "old-fashioned populist", who took on the role of ombudsman in an effort to advance the causes to which he was committed, including services for the aged, juvenile justice, migrant worker welfare and Hispanic civil rights; and

     WHEREAS, from 1975 to 1978, Roberto was the director of the commission on aging and from 1983 to 1985 was the director of the state housing authority; and

     WHEREAS, in 1994, Roberto Mondragon was the Green party nominee for governor, and in 2005, he was chosen to help guide the state with one of its most crucial issues, water, as the special water projects coordinator for the office of the state engineer; and

     WHEREAS, in his life outside of politics, Roberto Mondragon was a storyteller, musician, radio host and cultural ambassador. Through his recordings, community performances and bilingual broadcasting, he celebrated the language, humor and heritage of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto Mondragon also co-owned and operated the nonprofit Aspectos Culturales with his business partner, Georgia Roybal, and they worked together creating culturally based bilingual learning materials for students across New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the general services department, the department of transportation and the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department each be requested to identify and recommend to the legislative finance committee a location, such as a state park, campground, roadway, landscaped area in front of a state building or other appropriate location, to commemorate the life and work of Roberto A. Mondragon for his dedication as an activist for the causes of common people, and for the preservation and maintenance of Hispanic culture and heritage in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative finance committee, the general services department, the department of transportation and the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department.

- 4 -