HM 50 — "LINCOLN COUNTY DAY"

HOUSE MEMORIAL 50 57TH LEGISLATURE- STATE OF NEWMEXICO - SECOND SESSION, 2026 INTRODUCED BY Harlan Vincent 6 8 10 A MEMORIAL DECLARING FEBRUARY 4, 2026 "LINCOLN COUNTY DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

145 WHEREAS, Lincoln county is nationally recognized for its iconic history, outdoor recreation and strong rural communities;

and e t 17 WHEREAS, Lincoln county's story reflects the complexity of w l n d 18 the American west, shaped by generations of neighbors, = = 19 a l including the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and by the historic i a e r 20 movements of peoples and cultures across the region;

and a t m m 21 WHEREAS, the post-Civil War era brought rapid growth to d r e 22 the region, and by the mid-1870s, competing business and c e s k 23 e a political interests intensified conflicts over land, water and n b 24 u [ power, culminating in the events historically known as the .233477.2 Lincoln county war;

and WHEREAS, Smokey Bear's legacy continues at Smokey Bear HM 50 Page 1 historical park in the village of Capitan, providing education, tourism and community identity for residents and visitors alike;

and 14 WHEREAS, the mountains, forests and waterways of Lincoln county continue to sustain communities, support ranching and agriculture and drive a year-round outdoor economy that e t 17 includes hiking, camping, skiing, fishing and hunting;

and w l n d 18 WHEREAS, Lincoln county is home to Ruidoso Downs race = = 19 track, an important part of the county's economy and culture a l i a e r 20 and a hub for quarter horse racing, including the all American a t m m 21 futurity, which attracts visitors, supports local businesses d r e 22 and creates jobs;

and c e s k 23 WHEREAS, as the community continues recovery efforts, e a n b 24 there is strong optimism for the racetrack's reopening and a u [ return to racing that will restore a key gathering place for .233477.2 - 2 - families, visitors and the local workforce and renew an important driver of economic activity across the region;

and WHEREAS, in recent years, Lincoln county communities have faced significant challenges, including natural disasters that affected homes, businesses and public infrastructure, and residents, first responders, volunteers HM 50 Page 2 and partner organizations have worked together with determination to recover and rebuild;

and WHEREAS, Lincoln county continues to invest in community 14 resilience, public safety and quality of life while preserving its history and expanding opportunities for future generations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF e t 17 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Lincoln county w l n d 18 be recognized as a central part of New Mexico's heritage and a = = 19 vital contributor to the state's economy and identity, a l i a e r 20 celebrated for its history, its outdoor landscapes, its quarter a t m m 21 horse racing tradition, its agricultural roots and the d r e 22 resilience of its communities;

and c e s k 23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that February 4, 2026 be declared e a n b 24 "Lincoln County Day" in the house of representatives;

and u [ BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be .233477.2 - 3 - transmitted to the Lincoln county board of county commissioners.

-HM 450 -Page 53 725 9 11 13 15 e t 17 w l n d 18 = = 19 a l i a e r 20 a t m m 21 d r e 22 c e s k 23 e a n b 24 u [ .233477.2