[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 107 (Thursday, July 16, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S7652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 213--RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 
 CITY OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 400TH ANNIVERSARY

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

                              S. Res. 213

       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.

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of the City of 
Santa Fe, NM. This bill is cosponsored by Senator Tom Udall and a 
companion bill will be introduced in the House by Representatives Ben 
Ray Lujan, Martin Heinrich, and Harry Teague.
  Over the next year the City of Santa Fe will commemorate the arrival 
of Spanish settlers and the designation of the City as the capital city 
of the Spanish territory now known as New Mexico. On their arrival the 
Spaniards found a thriving Native American culture. These Native 
American and Spanish cultures served to enrich each other and led the 
creation of a vibrant social, cultural, and financial center that made 
the settlement of the Western United States possible.
  Despite the difficulties and periodic clashes the Spanish, Native 
American, and Anglo cultures in Santa Fe fought and worked to create a 
unique and vibrant culture that enriched all in the area. It is this 
confluence of cultures and the incomparable natural beauty of the area 
that make Santa Fe, The City Different, an American treasure that 
should be recognized and celebrated.
  Santa Fe is celebrated worldwide for its thriving artistic community, 
including the Santa Fe Opera, museums, and working artists. Many of 
these artists were drawn to its natural beauty, the light and air of 
the place. It is this special something that led artists like D.H. 
Lawrence and Georgia O'Keefe and countless others to visit and move to 
the area.
  We in New Mexico know how lucky we are to have Santa Fe and its 
treasures the entire state stands with the City to commemorate its 
400th anniversary. That is why I am proud to introduce this resolution 
with the entire New Mexico delegation calling on the Congress to 
recognize the historical significance of Santa Fe and calling on the 
People of the United States to observe the anniversary with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to 
rise today and join my senior Senator in submitting a resolution 
commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of 
Santa Fe, NM.
  The Villa de Santa Fe was founded in 1609 by Don Pedro de Peralta as 
the capital of the Spanish province of New Mexico, making it the oldest 
capital city in the U.S.
  The city of Santa Fe is blessed with a diversity of cultures, rooted 
in its remarkable history. At the time Spanish colonists arrived in New 
Mexico, they found many thriving Pueblo communities, including in the 
area around what was to become Santa Fe. Although there were conflicts 
between the two people, they learned from each other, shared knowledge, 
traditions, and skills, while preserving their own unique cultures that 
persist to this day. Descendents of the original Spanish colonists can 
still be found in Santa Fe, and the nearby Pueblos continue to enrich 
the city and the region today. The city continued to evolve and grow 
through history with influences from the Mexican Revolution and 
characters from the western American frontier such as Billy the Kid.
  With the breathtaking landscape of the high desert, snow-capped 
Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop, and well-preserved historical 
landmarks including the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and 
the Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe has become a major tourist 
destination and an inspiration to many artists, including Georgia 
O'Keeffe and D.H. Lawrence.
  Today, Santa Fe is a modern American city, steeped in its rich 
history, arts, culture, and traditions. It is a treasure for the state 
of New Mexico and the Nation. I hope my colleagues will join us in 
honoring its past and celebrating the future of the ``City Different.''

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