HM 57 — "AFRICAN-AMERICAN DAY"

HOUSE MEMORIAL 57 56TH LEGISLATURE- STATE OF NEWMEXICO - SECOND SESSION, 2024 INTRODUCED BY Pamelya Herndon and Janelle Anyanonu 6 8 10 A MEMORIAL DECLARING FEBRUARY 9, 2024 "AFRICAN-AMERICAN DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

145 WHEREAS, African-American day is a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans to the history of both New Mexico and the United States;

and e t 17 WHEREAS, New Mexico recognizes the importance of honoring w l n d 18 African Americans, having enacted Section 12-5-12 NMSA 1978, = = 19 a l which states, "The second Friday of February of each year shall i a e r 20 be set apart and be known as "African-American"African- American day";

and a t m m 21 WHEREAS, African-American day is a day to reflect on the d r e 22 many sacrifices that African Americans have made toward the c e s k 23 democracy everyone enjoys today;

and e a n b 24 WHEREAS, African-American day shall be observed by the u [ people of New Mexico in recognition of those efforts;

and .228190.3 WHEREAS, African-American day is celebrated in tandem with Black history month;

and HM 57 WHEREAS, African-American day provides an opportunity to Page 1 honor the often-forgotten accomplishments of Black Americans to every important outcome that makes up the history of the state and the country;

and WHEREAS, Black history month should not be treated as though it is separate from the collective American history or as though Black history month is merely a compilation of greatest hits, ranging from the badges and incidents of slavery to some of the most important supreme court cases that have e t 17 created precedents inspired by African American experiences, w l n d 18 but rather as a day that is focused on the shared experiences = = 19 a l of African Americans blended into a recipe that creates a i a e r 20 unique flavor of diversity with a multicultural experience that a t m m 21 everyone can appreciate;

and d r e 22 WHEREAS, the African American community in New Mexico has c e s k 23 a compelling legacy that dates back to 1539, when Esteban, a e a n b 24 Spanish Moor from North Africa, traveled to New Mexico seeking u [ gold;

and .228190.3 - 2 - WHEREAS, after the civil war, thousands of African American soldiers, also known as the buffalo soldiers, were garrisoned at eleven different forts throughout the territory of New Mexico;

and HM 57 Page 2 WHEREAS, efforts to advance racial equality and civil engagement continue to be urgent priorities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF e t 17 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 9, w l n d 18 2024 be designated "African-American Day" in the house of = = 19 a l representatives;

and i a e r 20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be a t m m 21 transmitted to the governor, the executive director of the d r e 22 office on African American affairs, the president of the c e s k 23 university of New Mexico, the president of the New Mexico black e a n b 24 caucus and the president of the New Mexico state conference of u [ the national association for the advancement of colored people.

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