HOUSE MEMORIAL 23

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Elias Barela

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE RICH HISTORY, CURRENT ASSETS AND PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO'S HOUSE DISTRICT 8 AND DECLARING JANUARY 28, 2010 "HOUSE DISTRICT 8 DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, House District 8 is located entirely within Valencia county, New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, it includes such villages, towns and communities as Belen, Los Lunas, Bacaville, Pueblitos, Los Chavez and Los Lentes and many other historically significant, peaceful, friendly and beautiful places; and

     WHEREAS, Valencia county is part of the Rio Abajo, an area of the middle Rio Grande valley that was settled as early as 1598 by the Spaniards; and

     WHEREAS, the village of Los Lunas, the Valencia county seat and part of House District 8, was founded by the Spaniards in the seventeenth century, and it maintains a strong tri-cultural heritage to this day; and

     WHEREAS, the House District 8 city of Belen was established over two hundred sixty-five years ago as a peaceful village on the west bank of the Rio Grande, and it became incorporated as a town in 1940 and as a city in 1965; and

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico-Valencia campus is located near House District 8, in Tome, New Mexico, halfway between Belen and Los Lunas, and the campus has served the educational needs of the area since 1978; and

     WHEREAS, in 2002, House District 8 had a total population of twenty-six thousand two hundred fourteen residents, and the district currently comprises close to forty percent of the population of Valencia county; and

     WHEREAS, the population of the district and the county in which it is located has risen dramatically in recent years, and the area continues to attract new residents who are looking for a place where the pace is a little slower, the crime rate is low, neighbors know neighbors and opportunities abound; and

     WHEREAS, the area now designated as House District 8 has been represented by such illustrious former members as Miguel E. Baca, who served in 1912, immediately following New Mexico's statehood; Jesus C. Sanchez, who was a member of the territorial house of representatives in 1909, prior to New Mexico's statehood; Ron Gentry, who served as majority floor leader during his tenure; and Fred S. Luna, who served with distinction for thirty-five years, and who was the chair of the house business and industry committee for nineteen years; and

     WHEREAS, the quality of life is high in House District 8, a place characterized by a strong sense of community enhanced by a rural lifestyle, friendly people, terrific weather and a welcoming attitude, making it a wonderful place to live and to visit;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the rich history, current assets and people of New Mexico's House District 8 be recognized and honored, and that January 28, 2010 be declared "House District 8 Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the county commissioners of Valencia county and the mayors of the incorporated municipalities of Los Lunas and Belen.

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