46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THAT THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SUPPORT THE DEPLOYMENT OF A NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM.

WHEREAS, the United States signed the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with a nation that no longer exists; and

WHEREAS, an increasing number of nations, including North Korea, possess the capability to launch missile attacks against the United States or are working to obtain that capability; and

WHEREAS, the possibility that a missile bearing a weapon of mass destruction will be used against United States forces or interests is higher today than it was during most of the cold war; and

WHEREAS, terrorists, not just nations, may have the means to buy intercontinental ballistic missiles; and

WHEREAS, the United States has no defense against a missile attack; and

WHEREAS, the cold war policy of mutually assured destruction that was assumed in arms control treaties is not sufficient to deter terrorist missile attacks; and

WHEREAS, defending against a missile attack is the federal government's moral obligation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to support all efforts to develop, build and deploy a national missile defense system as rapidly as possible; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.