SENATE MEMORIAL 84

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Eric G. Griego

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT MISSION AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES AND KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE ON THE NATION AND ON NEW MEXICO'S ECONOMY, SECURITY AND FUTURE.

     WHEREAS, Sandia national laboratories and Kirtland air force base are critical to the security and economy of New Mexico and the United States; and

     WHEREAS, on behalf of New Mexico and the United States, Sandia national laboratories anticipates and solves the most challenging problems that threaten security in the twenty-first century; and

     WHEREAS, Sandia national laboratories is widely recognized as a national leader in anticipating threats and providing innovative, science-based system engineering solutions to the nation's most challenging national security problems; and

     WHEREAS, the excitement and importance of Sandia national laboratories' work, work environment and partnerships with academia, industry, government and other partners, and Sandia national laboratories' record of historic contributions help to attract exceptional staff; and

     WHEREAS, Sandia national laboratories' innovations and discovery of new technologies strengthen the nation's technological superiority; and

     WHEREAS, Sandia national laboratories brings high-wage jobs to New Mexico, including a permanent work force of ten thousand four hundred nineteen plus four thousand seven hundred forty-two contractors; and 

     WHEREAS, Sandia national laboratories' employees are recognized by their professional peers for their outstanding contributions; and

     WHEREAS, Sandia national laboratories is managed in a way that inspires confidence; and

     WHEREAS, Sandia national laboratories informs the national debate where technology policy is critical to preserving security and freedom throughout the world; and

     WHEREAS, the mission of Kirtland air force base can be divided into four major categories: nuclear research and sustainment; research and development; test and evaluation; and operational organizations and support; and

     WHEREAS, there are five major air commands of the air force represented on Kirtland air force base, including the air force materiel command, the air education and training command, the air combat command, the air force space command and the air force reserve; and

     WHEREAS, both the army national guard and air national guard are represented on Kirtland air force base, as well as several field agencies and direct reporting units; and

     WHEREAS, Kirtland air force base has an annual economic impact of five billion six hundred million dollars ($5,600,000,000), approximately four billion three hundred million dollars ($4,300,000,000) of which is local; and

     WHEREAS, employment associated with Kirtland air force base is estimated to represent one of every fourteen jobs in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, educational outreach by Kirtland air force base is important to the future of New Mexico students; and

     WHEREAS, the air force research laboratory's La Luz academy program, which is in its seventeenth year, is a hands-on science, technology, engineering and math education outreach program in which more than thirty-five thousand students from four hundred four schools and eighty-three school districts have participated;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recognition be given to the important mission and economic impact of Sandia national laboratories and Kirtland air force base on the nation and on New Mexico's economy, security and future; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation and the appropriate interim legislative committee.

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