[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 213 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 213

 Recognizing the historical significance of the city of Santa Fe, New 
           Mexico, on the occasion of its 400th anniversary.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 16, 2009

 Mr. Bingaman (for himself and Mr. Udall of New Mexico) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the historical significance of the city of Santa Fe, New 
           Mexico, on the occasion of its 400th anniversary.

Whereas, before 1598, the Pueblos of the Rio Grande region of New Mexico 
        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 
        receiving a royal proclamation from the King of Spain and the captain 
        general of New Mexico, ordered Governor Pedro de Peralta to arrive in 
        New Mexico before the end of 1609 and establish a villa at the site of 
        what is now known as Santa Fe;
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 to return to the villa, which, 
        although initially peaceful, resulted in several armed conflicts lasting 
        through 1696;
Whereas, following the repopulation of Santa Fe and reinstitution of the 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 the descendants of the colonists formed alliances with the 
        Pueblos and each accommodated the culture of the other, allowing Santa 
        Fe to flourish;
Whereas the peaceful acceptance of each other's cultures continued through the 
        conquest of New Mexico by the United States during the war with Mexico, 
        contributed to the evolution of the cultural heritage of Santa Fe, and 
        resulted in the recognition by the State and Federal governments of the 
        sovereign rights of the Pueblos, including their right to self-
        government;
Whereas, during 2009 and 2010, Santa Fe will proudly observe the 400th 
        anniversary of the settlement and subsequent founding as a villa and the 
        multicultural heritage of the city with suitable events and observances 
        to commemorate the occasion 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 for moving forward as a flagship community within the 
        State of New Mexico: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the historical significance of the city of 
        Santa Fe, New Mexico;
            (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.
                                 <all>