"GRANT COUNTY DAY"

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A MEMORIAL
DECLARING JANUARY 28, 2026 THE FIFTIETH ANNUAL "GRANT COUNTY
DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WHEREAS, Grant county is known for its mining, ranching
and art communities; blend of Hispanic, Native American and
Anglo cultures; blue skies with three hundred sixty days of
sunshine per year; vast mountain landscapes; and small-town
atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, Grant county is the gateway to the vast Gila
wilderness; and
WHEREAS, Grant county's largest city and county seat,
Silver City, is the only municipality in New Mexico still
operating under the territorial charter issued by the
legislative assembly of the territory of New Mexico in 1878;
and
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, which is mined from the third-largest open-pit
copper mine in the world; and
WHEREAS, Grant county is home to western New Mexico
university, established in 1893 as New Mexico's only applied
liberal arts and sciences university; and
WHEREAS, western New Mexico university leads the state
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in designing education and training programs specific to the
evolving needs of a globalized economy, and as one of the
original Hispanic-serving institutions in the United States,
western New Mexico university is the southwest's hub of
Hispanic traditions, languages and music, while providing
life-changing education and training opportunities to
Hispanic students from across the globe; and
WHEREAS, the nationally recognized university ensemble,
mariachi plata de western New Mexico university, is
celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026; and
WHEREAS, Grant county is known for its true west history
that includes prehistoric Native Americans; the Chiricahua
Apache, including Geronimo and Victorio, two famous Apache
leaders; and iconic wild west figures such as Billy the Kid,
lawman Dan Tucker and Madam Millie; and
WHEREAS, Grant county is where, in 1866, company B of
the one hundred twenty-fifth United States colored infantry
regiment, known as the buffalo soldiers, was established at
Fort Bayard; and
WHEREAS, Grant county is honored as the home of many
veterans, and Grant county shares New Mexico's heavy burden
of the members of New Mexico's two hundredth coast artillery
regiment, many of whom were subjected to the Bataan death
march, including the late Representative Thomas Foy; and
WHEREAS, Grant county straddles the Continental Divide
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national scenic trail at six thousand to seven thousand feet,
providing cool summers, as well as uninterrupted views of the
Mexican border to the south; and
WHEREAS, Grant county hosts the annual tour of the Gila,
New Mexico's premier cycling stage race, which attracts
national and international teams and boosts awareness and use
of the trail of the Mountain Spirits national scenic byway;
and
WHEREAS, Grant county is home to significant outdoor
recreation areas, including the Catwalk recreation area, City
of Rocks state park, the trail of the Mountain Spirits
national scenic byway, Bear Canyon reservoir and lake
Roberts; and
WHEREAS, Grant county has many well-known festivals,
including the blues festival, clay festival, tamal fiesta y
mas, festival of the written word and southwest print fiesta;
and
WHEREAS, the Grant county prospectors honor and
recognize the longtime mayor of Hurley, Joseph Edward "Ed"
Stevens, who died on December 8, 2025; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico's current lieutenant governor, Howie
Morales, is from Grant county;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that January 28,
2026 be declared the fiftieth annual "Grant County Day" in
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the house of representatives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Ed Stevens and Howie Morales
be recognized and honored for their many years of service to
the people of New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the members of the board of county
commissioners of Grant county.