44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE BOSQUE REDONDO MEMORIAL COMMEMORATING THE DETENTION OF THE NAVAJO AND MESCALERO APACHE PEOPLE AT BOSQUE REDONDO FROM 1863 TO 1868.

WHEREAS, in 1863, the United States government detained nearly nine thousand Navajo and forced their migration across nearly three hundred fifty miles to Bosque Redondo; and

WHEREAS, Mescalero Apache people were also incarcerated there; and

WHEREAS, it is proposed to construct a monument to commemorate the experience of the people forced to live far from their homes, imprisoned by the United States government; and

WHEREAS, three million six hundred thousand dollars ($3,600,000) has been requested in severance tax bond money and five million dollars ($5,000,000) has been requested from congress;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States congress be requested to support the construction and operation of the Bosque Redondo monument and memorial in remembrance of the Navajo and Mescalero people who were incarcerated at Bosque Redondo;

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