House adopts memorial honoring victims of violent crime; families invited to rotunda

The New Mexico House on Feb. 3 adopted House Memorial 25, honoring victims of violent crime and recognizing the work of survivors and families.

Representative Nicole Chavez introduced the memorial and asked colleagues to join families at 2:15 p.m. in the rotunda, saying the event ‘‘recognizes the profound lifelong effect [violence] leaves behind’’ and thanking families for ‘‘their bravery’’ in sharing their stories. The clerk read the memorial’s resolving language and listed co-sponsors including Representatives Reeb, Alan Martinez, Dow and Mirabal Moya.

Multiple family members were introduced in the rotunda and gallery; sponsors named family members and the years their loved ones were killed. Members who spoke in favor emphasized the long-term impact on birthdays, holidays and ordinary life and thanked families for advocating for reforms and recognition. Representative 22 said the list of names read was ‘‘probably 2% or 1% of all the names across the state’’ and praised the families’ ongoing advocacy.

Representative Chavez moved final passage and, by unanimous-consent procedure recording members present as affirmative, the clerk announced the vote of 70 in the affirmative, 0 negative. The memorial is an expression of legislative recognition and memorialization rather than a statutory change.