IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 655 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 16, 2009 Mr. Luján (for himself, Mr. Teague, and Mr. Heinrich) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing the historical significance of the city of Santa Fe.

Whereas before 1598, the Pueblos of the Rio Grande region of New Mexico had inhabited the area now officially known as Santa Fe; Whereas from the first arrival of Spanish colonists in August of 1598, the Pueblos of the Rio Grande and adjoining regions of New Mexico provided support and sustenance to those colonists, which allowed the colonists to persevere at San Gabriel del Yunque, the first villa and capital of New Mexico located in the pueblo lands of Ohkay Owingeh; Whereas, on March 30, 1609, the viceroy of New Spain, Luis de Velasco II, upon the royal proclamation from the King of Spain and captain general of New Mexico, ordered Governor Pedro de Peralta to arrive in New Mexico before the end of 1609 and to establish a villa at the site of what is now Santa Fe; Whereas the Spanish colonists and the Pueblos engaged in a two-way exchange of knowledge and cultural folkways that would be mutually advantageous for both peoples; Whereas some 70 years following the establishment of the villa of Santa Fe, the Pueblos took up arms and forced the inhabitants of the villa to retreat to El Paso de Guadalupe in what was then Mexico; Whereas in 1692, the Spanish colonists began a return to the villa, which following an initial peaceful return, resulted in several armed conflicts lasting through 1696; Whereas following the repopulation of Santa Fe and reinstitution of Spanish government in New Mexico, the Pueblos and Spanish colonists found ways to engage in mutual cultural interchange; Whereas over the following years and despite intermittent disputes, the colonists and their descendants formed alliances and accommodated each other’s cultures, allowing Santa Fe to flourish; Whereas the peaceful acceptance of each other’s cultures continued through the United States’ conquest of New Mexico during the war with Mexico and contributed to the evolution of Santa Fe’s cultural heritage and resulted in the recognition by the State and Federal governments of the sovereign rights of the Pueblos including their rights to self-government; Whereas during the period of 2009 through 2010, Santa Fe will proudly observe the 400-year anniversary of its settlement and subsequent founding as a villa and its multicultural heritage with suitable events and observances to commemorate its 400 years and to pass on to future generation the heritage of Santa Fe and the surrounding region; and Whereas it is important that the commemoration provide a foundation for peace, hope, and collaboration for Santa Fe and its surrounding communities, and a foundation to move forward as a flagship community within the State of New Mexico: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes the historical significance of the city of Santa Fe; (2)recognizes the 400th anniversary of the establishment of Santa Fe; and (3)encourages the people of the United States to observe the anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities.