Resolution - A call to the 2011 Governor’s Office and all elected Members of the New Mexico Legislature to enact legislation during the 2011 Legislative Session to finally create, pass and sign a New Mexico Department of Hispano Affairs as unanimously passed by the 2009 Legislative Session in New Mexico.

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens is this nation’s oldest and largest Latino organization, founded in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 24, 1929; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico LULAC, the Hispano Roundtable of New Mexico, every Hispano organization in New Mexico and an overwhelming number of Hispanos across the Great State of New Mexico are calling for the creation of a Department of Hispano Affairs; and

WHEREAS, All New Mexico Senate Committees and the full New Mexico Senate passed SB-21 by a vote of 31-7 in favor of creating a Department of Hispano Affairs; and

WHEREAS, All New Mexico House Committees and the full House of Representatives passed SB-21 by a vote of 49-13 in favor of creating a Department of Hispano Affairs; and

WHEREAS, Governor Richardson Vetoed SB-21 citing it was an unfunded mandate and he wanted more latitude in selecting Advisory Board Members; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico’s Hispano community suffers tremendous disparities and poverty in New Mexico. Although Hispanos represent the majority population in New Mexico and New Mexico is the only Hispano majority State in the country, Hispanos are severely underrepresented in all institutions of education and employment, represent the highest numbers of working poor and poverty, 50% have no medical coverage whatsoever, only one-third own their homes, Hispano Business owners generate only 5% of total Business Revenues, and many other issues regarding Land Grants, Border issues and Immigration issues; and

WHEREAS, Governor Richardson has signed an Executive Order and appointed Pablo Martinez, State LULAC Director and Alex Romero, CEO of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and an Advisor Commission of 10 Members to create this Department during the Special Session; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the League of United Latin American Citizens will continue to fully and actively support that the Department of Hispano Affairs will be created during the 2011 Legislative Session that will be funded and to include an Advisory Board made up of representation from New Mexico, The Hispano Chamber of Commerce, MANA, and the GI Forum. This newly created Department will commence in the year 2012.

Approved this 17th day of July 2010.

Margaret Moran
LULAC National President