[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E452-E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PALACE OF THE GOVERNORS EXPANSION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2000

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill 
to fund the expansion annex of the historic Palace of the Governors in 
Santa Fe, New Mexico. This is a companion bill to S. 1727 introduced in 
the Senate by Senator Pete V. Domenici.
  The Palace of the Governors is the last remaining structure of a 
compound built between 1605 and 1610 by the Government of Spain. For 
centuries the compound, known also as ``Las Casas Reales'', served as a 
military and administrative center for the Spanish colonial empire, and 
functioned as the legislative chambers and official residence for those 
who governed New Mexico under the Flags of Spain, Mexico, and the 
territorial United States. This included 66 Spaniards, 17 Mexicans, and 
22 U.S. Territorial Governors. Moreover, during what is known as the 
Pueblo Rebellion of 1680, the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico converted 
the historic structure into an Indian village until the Spanish return 
in 1692.
  In 1909, the capitol for the New Mexican territorial government was 
moved to a more modern building, and the Palace of the Governors was 
designated as the Museum of New Mexico. Today, the Museum's collections 
include over 15,000 artifacts and priceless art works, 530,000 
photographic images, 15,000 books, 450 linear feet of manuscripts, and 
6,000 prints and maps. These precious items are irreplaceable 
historical and cultural artifacts, as they represent time periods 
spanning from the initial European exploration and colonization of the 
Southwest in the 16th century, to the birth of the atomic age and the 
exploration of space in the twentieth century. Some of Museum's 
artifacts include helmets and armor worn by soldiers in the expedition 
of Don Juan De Onate who established the first capital in the United 
States in July of 1598, and led the first permanent European community 
in the United States. These proud and independent people, whose direct 
descendants thrive to this day in New Mexico, introduced horses, cows, 
donkeys, sheep, and agricultural technology. Together with the Native 
Americans they contributed to what is New Mexico's rich culture.
  As another example of its fascinating holdings, the museum also 
houses the Railway station clock that was shot as Pancho Villa invaded 
the United States. The clock, its pendulum stopped by a bullet, 
captured the exact moment in time, when the last invasion of the 
continental United States took place.
  Today, the Palace is visited by thousands of visitors from around the 
world who tour the exhibits, and then purchase fine Native American 
artwork sold by Native peoples under the portal in front of the Palace. 
This trade between cultures has taken place daily for hundreds of 
years, and is a testament to the interaction between different 
cultures.
  Tragically, these many unique examples of Spanish, Native American, 
Mexican, and U.S. history face imminent destruction if immediate 
measures are not taken to provide safe and adequate storage, and proper 
exhibit facilities. Currently the major portion of the collections has 
no protection from loss by fire, flooding or disintegration and the 
buildings where the collections are stored are over 90 years old, with 
a steam heating system that contributes deterioration of the 
collections.
  Recognizing this disastrous situation, a group of my fellow New 
Mexicans have undertaken the task of planning for the construction of a 
modern and technologically advanced annex, the size of which will 
permit the rich

[[Page E453]]

multi-cultural history of the southwest to be made available to present 
and future generations. Over time they have raised almost $6 million 
from state, city, and private sources to acquire a building, the land, 
and planning for the new annex. The amount, however, is far from 
sufficient enough to meet the projected total project cost of an 
additional $32 million. Thus, it is imperative that Federal funds be 
provided.
  The bill I am presenting today will help ensure these treasures are 
protected and funds are provided, so that we save the irreplaceable 
collections of the Palace of the Governors from the danger of being 
forever lost. The bill would authorized $15 million dollars through the 
Department of Interior, and will assist the Palace of the Governors 
construct and also equip their new annex. It will also make the vast 
collections available for exhibition to future generations of Americans 
and for study by scholars who currently cannot access them because of a 
lack of appropriate facilities.
  Mr. Speaker, the Palace of the Governors is not only an irreplaceable 
jewel in New Mexico's history, but the history of our Hispanic 
Southwest and our country as a whole. I urge that we act to support 
this aspect of our nation's history with the foresight that will reward 
our children with these unique, historical, and cultural gifts drawn 
from our country's amazing diversity.

                          ____________________