[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E757-E758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE RESILIENCE OF THE PEOPLE, CULTURE, LAND, AND WATER OF 
                               NEW MEXICO

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 2022

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, as we mark National Latino 
Conservation Week, I rise to celebrate the resiliency of the people of 
Las Vegas, Mora, and the surrounding New Mexico communities. Since 
April, the Forest Service-caused Hermit's Peak Fire and Calf Canyon 
Fire has ravaged the area. I am proud to join my resilient community to 
celebrate our combined strength and capacity to recover during 
challenging times. The Hispano heritage of this area is a strength we 
will rely on to heal.
  Now in its fourth month, the fire has burned over 340,000 acres and 
become the biggest

[[Page E758]]

wildfire in New Mexico's history. It forced thousands of New Mexicans 
to evacuate and burned hundreds of homes and structures. Make no 
mistake, the negligence of the U.S. Forest Service caused this fire, 
and the federal government bears responsibility for the cost and the 
damage. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their 
support of my legislation to fully compensate affected residents and 
businesses, which passed through the House last week.
  After the fire ignited, hurricane-force winds and an historic drought 
enabled the wildfire to strengthen and spread dangerously quickly. It 
destroyed places where I, and so many others like me, grew up and 
explored; places where we gathered wood and tended to our acequias; 
places where we buried loved ones and practiced our faith; places where 
we raised our children; places where we hunted and fished; and places 
of cherished memories. Yet, my hometown of Las Vegas and the 
communities in Mora and San Miguel counties, and our other dear 
neighbors continue to persevere despite devastating destruction. 
Hispano, together with Indigenous and Anglo families, have been 
stewards and conservationists of these lands for centuries, and they 
will not give up on their lands now.
  There is one common thread among the countless people I've talked to 
and their stories of loss and heartache: resiliency. Residents bravely 
defended their land, honoring shared ancestors. Families and neighbors 
from across the community opened their doors to one another in a 
beautiful, shared sense of New Mexico community. Firefighters and first 
responders risked their lives to save others. We honor their sacrifice 
along with those who donated their time, resources, and money to help 
those forced from their homes.
  Our land, water, culture, and communities will endure despite the 
catastrophic wildfires and ongoing floods. Our faith in each other 
remains unbroken. Our traditions remain unbroken. We remain unbroken.
  I draw strength and determination from our shared commitment to 
protect the natural, cultural, and recreational resources that make 
these areas so beautiful. We will Rise from the Ashes and, as we have 
done for generations, continue to fight for what we love.

                          ____________________