The following Joint Memorial will be submitted by Senator Siah Correa-Hemphill and Representative Luis Terrazas to be read on the floor of each Chamber of the Legislature on February 1. The final version may change slightly.
Proclaiming February 1, 2023 to be the 48th annual “Grant County Day” in the Legislature.
WHEREAS, Grant County is known for its mining, ranching and art communities, blend of Hispanic, Indigenous and Anglo cultures, blue skies with 360 days of sunshine, vast mountainous landscapes, and small-town atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, Grant County is the Gateway to the vast Gila Wilderness;
WHEREAS, Grant County’s largest city and the county seat, Silver City is the only municipality in New Mexico still operating under the authority of a Territorial Charter issued by the Territory of New Mexico in 1878;
WHEREAS, Grant County is the richest county for mining in New Mexico, producing numerous precious metals including copper, an essential element of green energy and electric vehicles;
WHEREAS, Grant County is home to Western New Mexico University, established in 1893, is the state’s liberal arts and sciences university as designated by this legislature. The Western New Mexico University Museum holds the world’s foremost collection of ancient Mimbres pottery;
WHEREAS, Grant County is known for its true west history that includes prehistoric Native Americans, Chiricahua Apache, and wild west characters such as Billy the Kid, Lawman Dan Tucker and Madam Millie;
WHEREAS, Grant County is where in 1866 Company B of the 125th U.S. Colored Infantry, known as the Buffalo Soldiers, was established at Fort Bayard;
WHEREAS, Grant County is honored as the home of many veterans and Grant County shares New Mexico’s heavy burden of the 200th Coastal Artillery who experienced the Bataan Death March including our late State Representative Tom Foy;
WHEREAS, Grant County straddles the Continental Divide Trail, a national scenic trail, at 6000-7500 feet, providing cool summers, as well as uninterrupted views of the Mexican border to the south;
WHEREAS, Grant County hosts the annual Tour of the Gila, New Mexico’s premier road cycling race that attracts national and international teams which boosts awareness and usage of the Trail of the Mountain Spirit National Byway;
WHEREAS, Grant County has many well-known festivals including the Blues Festival, Clay Festival, Festival of the Written Word and the Southwest Print Fiesta; and
WHEREAS, Grant County would like to recognize the honorable Lieutenant Governor, Howie Morales of Grant County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 1, 2023 be proclaimed “Grant County Day” in the legislature to honor and showcase the great people and great places that make up Grant County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the board of county commissioners of Grant County.
Grant County Prospectors 