[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 100th 
anniversary of Roosevelt County, New Mexico, which was formed on 
February 28, 1903. The citizens of Roosevelt County this year are 
celebrating the many virtues of their wonderful community. Roosevelt 
County is a good place to call home. It has outstanding schools, safe 
streets, family oriented neighborhoods, civic volunteerism and 
community values that make it an exceptional place to live and raise a 
family. We have much to celebrate on this centennial.
  Roosevelt County was named for the twenty-sixth President of the 
United States, Theodore Roosevelt, who enlisted New Mexican Rough 
Riders when he climbed San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War. 
The city of Portales is the county seat. Other communities in the 
county include: Elida, Floyd, Dora, Causey, Arch, Kenna, Lingo, 
Milnesand, Pep, and Rogers. Roosevelt County is located on the high 
plains of eastern New Mexico in the heart of cattle country, with 
ranching, farming, the dairy industry, and the Burlington Northern/
Santa Fe Railway comprising important components of the community's 
economic base. Located 11 miles to the northeast of Portales is Cannon 
Air Force Base, which adds a very important dimension to the character 
of the area.
  Roosevelt County was cultivated by ranching, farming, the railroad 
and related businesses over a hundred years ago. In 1902 a few 
homesteaders settled in; a year later, the homesteaders were arriving 
more increasingly in the area around Portales. Settlers were drawn to 
Roosevelt County due to the access of the railroad and the availability 
of shallow water. A homesteader could take a pick and shovel and dig a 
well of about 15 feet deep and would have plenty of water for domestic 
use. Most other settlers outside the Portales Valley had to haul 
drinking water from a few wells made by ranchers, until they could 
afford to drill their own. It is hard to imagine the availability of 
that much water now, which Roosevelt County considers its most precious 
natural resource.
  The name ``Portales'' fits this charming university town even more 
today than when it was coined in the 1800s. Named for a nearby campsite 
where spring waters gushed from a series of cave-like porches across 
pueblo-style houses, Portales, or ``Porches'' in Spanish, is an 
entryway into New Mexico on the eastern border. Portales Springs is the 
most famous watering hole on the Old Fort Sumner Trail and often 
welcomed Billy the Kid and his partners during the infamous Lincoln 
County War.
  Agriculture is the major industry of Roosevelt County. The leading 
crops are Valencia peanuts, alfalfa, cotton, wheat, corn, milo, hay, 
and potatoes. Valencia peanuts, noted for their sweet taste, are 
exported all across the United States as well as to several countries 
around the world. Roosevelt County is home to the only peanut butter 
manufacturing facility in New Mexico. Additionally, its peanut butter 
is currently ranked the fifth highest quality peanut butter on the 
market today by Consumer Reports.
  Livestock feeding and dairy farming are also important to the local 
economy. Other industries include soft drink canners, an ethanol 
production facility, grain storage and shipping, trucking and milk 
processing. The dairy industry is the second largest agricultural 
industry in New Mexico, and our state is the nation's seventh largest 
producer of milk.

  Portales is the proud home to Eastern New Mexico University, the 
third largest university in the Land of Enchantment, offering over 50 
undergraduate and 15 graduate majors. The university offers a broad 
curriculum of vocational, technical and academic disciplines and is the 
center of the region's cultural life. The school has brought many 
opportunities to graduates since 1934. In conjunction with the city, 
the university sponsors an annual Peanut Valley Festival that provides 
excitement and entertainment for the community and attracts hundreds of 
visitors each year. I had the opportunity earlier this week to meet 
with the president of the university, Dr. Steven Gamble, to receive an 
update on the progress the institution is making. The residents of 
eastern New Mexico are fortunate to have such a fine place of higher 
learning in their midst.
  On this grand occasion, I want to express my best wishes to Portales 
Mayor Orlando Ortega and all the local elected officials throughout 
Roosevelt County that are determined to make this area an even better 
place to live and raise families. The elected county officials are as 
follows: Dennis Lopez, District 1 Commissioner; Charles Davis, District 
2 Commissioner; Thomas Clark, District 3 Commissioner; Gene Creighton, 
District 4 Commissioner; Paul Grider, District 5 Commissioner; Nancy 
Gentry, Probate Judge; Tom Gossett, County Sheriff; Nancy Belcher, 
Treasurer; Royene Tivis, Assessor; and Joyce Lee Fraze, County Clerk. I 
pledge to continue to work with these leaders to promote an atmosphere 
in which economic development can flourish.
  The signs of Roosevelt County's progress are evident. President Bush 
recently approved the fiscal year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill 
containing $250,000 to continue the development of the Ute Reservoir 
Pipeline, which is critical for the sustained growth and water needs of 
this area. We have a long way to go on this project, but this funding 
is a crucial step forward.
  Citizens have also seen fit to finance the construction of the 
Roosevelt General Hospital. Costing nearly nine million dollars, this 
facility is serving the health needs of local residents. The new 
Portales Junior High School was recently built to replace a decaying 
75th year-old facility. A new Communications Center is being built at 
Eastern New Mexico University, and the local library in Portales has 
recently been upgraded with new technology and a more modern, usable 
facility. Finally, there is the new Portales Recreation Center, which 
will serve scores of local youth and give them a safe environment to 
have fun and learn. All of these improvements were financed by voters 
through local elections and other contributions from local neighbors.
  The people of Roosevelt County have a past to be proud of, and a 
future that continues to unveil promising opportunities. The pull of 
the future is only as good as the past that empowers it, and in 
Roosevelt County a fine and solid history lays a well-lit path for the 
future.
  Mr. Speaker, Roosevelt County is one of the finest regions in the 
State of New Mexico. This area is symbolic of traditional American 
values. The residents work hard, are dedicated to their families, 
support their schools and volunteer to help their neighbors. I ask all 
my colleagues to join me in wishing all its residents continued success 
as their community enters its second century.

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