[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24447]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING ALICE MARTIN KING

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Last night, Alice King, one of New Mexico's most 
respected and best loved citizens, died as a result of a stroke. This 
is a tremendous loss to our State, and certainly to her husband, former 
Governor Bruce King, and her sons Bill and Gary and all of the family.
  Anyone who has lived in New Mexico for any amount of time in recent 
decades has actually felt they were a part of the King family in a way. 
Republicans and Democrats alike, ranchers or lawyers or pipefitters or 
schoolchildren, the Kings knew virtually everyone in our State, and 
nearly everyone in the State felt they knew the Kings. Certainly our 
State has benefited from the decades of public service the many members 
of the family have given, led by Bruce and Alice. He was the Governor 
of our State three times in three different decades and by his side 
always was his partner Alice. He was at her side last night.
  She was always more than just the Governor's wife. She was a leader 
in our State on children's issues. She was the force behind the 
creation of a cabinet level department, the Department of Children, 
Youth and Families. A vigorous, tireless, undaunted advocate for 
children, she lifted them and their issues to the top of our State's 
list of priorities, and she was their champion.
  New Mexico has lost an invaluable citizen, one whose accomplishments 
are part of our history and part of our future. She was a great person, 
a great friend to many people, including my wife Anne and me. We join 
the King family in grieving the loss of this wonderful woman and 
remembering her with appreciation and love.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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