House adopts memorial declaring Feb. 2 Mexican American, Chicano Heritage Day

The New Mexico House of Representatives on Feb. 2 adopted House Memorial 40, designating Feb. 2, 2026 as Mexican American/Chicano Heritage Day. The memorial, introduced by Representative Andrea Romero, was moved to the floor and taken up under final passage procedures. The speaker announced the vote recorded 7 in the affirmative and 0 in the negative.

Representative Andrea Romero, who introduced the measure, framed the designation as a recognition of deep cultural roots: “I said, I'm a Hispana, Chicana, Latina, whatever whatever makes sense for you today,” she said, describing the day as an occasion to honor Mexican‑American and Chicano history in New Mexico.

Members who spoke in support highlighted the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the role of land‑grant and acequia communities in the state’s history and culture. Several speakers welcomed acequia leaders and land‑grant representatives to the rostrum during the observance.

Under House rules, a memorial is a formal statement of recognition rather than a binding law; the adopted memorial will be entered into the House record. The speaker closed the item and congratulated supporters on the adoption. No further legislative action on the memorial was recorded during the session.