Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life, legacy and love of Bryan Bill, a man who touched everyone he met throughout his life.

Bryan was born and raised in San Rafael, California and loved his time in the beautiful Golden state. It was there, from a very young age, that Bryan developed an intense curiosity, explosive creativity and strong artistic inclination. His mother Cheryl vividly recalls: ``From the time he was a little boy he could draw beautifully, he became more inventive--there was never a time when he wasn't sketching.'' It was clear that Bryan was a talented, exceptional individual.

Still, like any child, Bryan had his obstacles. Parents, Cheryl and Bill, were told that their 7 year old son had behavioral problems, and like any loving parents they sought to remedy the situation. Bryan began regularly seeing a child psychologist. It wasn't until an obscure car pulled up along their house and dropped off their son, that Bill and Cheryl began to really worry--Bryan was 12 years old and drunk.

Bryan would go on to achieve so much during his life. As a graphic designer he was always developing innovative ways to reach an audience and craft a new project, but his specialty was cartooning--he just had a knack for it. I remember my conversations with him: he had this comedic humor; he was charming, daring and a witty conversationalist. If you talked to anyone who met Bryan they would tell you he had an incredible zest for life and his exuberant joy could light up any room.

And yet, Bryan was chronically depressed, repeatedly abused hard drugs, and had dependency issues with alcohol. On February 24, 2012, three years from this very day, Bryan took his life.

It tells us something that someone so talented, so inspired, and so beautiful can be taken from us so unexpectedly. Mental health is something we all deal with; it doesn't know race, it doesn't know socioeconomic status, whether you are tall or short, big or small, it affects everybody. Let's improve behavioral health services, break down the stigma surrounding suicide and encourage meaningful dialogue on mental health issues. It means saving lives like my cousin Bryan's.

Mr. Speaker, I join family, friends and all those who have felt Bryan's warm embrace in celebrating the wonderful life he lived and knowing that he is at peace. We will continue fighting to give our loved ones the strength they need to carry on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Tony Padilla, a community icon, loving father and proud New Mexican.

Tony was a lifelong resident of Los Padillas, a community he cherished in the South Valley of Bernalillo County. Tony never forgot his roots; he lived them every day of his life. He had a fiery passion, deep conviction and heartfelt desire to improve the lives of his friends and neighbors.

Many vividly recall his many years at the Bernalillo County Fire Commission where he could be found marking the scene of a fire and training young firefighters on necessary skills they would need on the job. He always had a presence in the community; whether it was helping families grieve the tragic loss of a loved one, supporting the Rio Grande High School baseball team and Los Padillas Community Center, or standing up for his fellow South Valley residents.

A piece of Tony will live on forever in all of us; that characteristic ``Hey neighbor'' from across the yard followed by a vibrant smile, those routine visits to the Post Office for a brisk and engaging conversation, the fun and laughter at the church Fiesta, the insightful life lessons and the endless love he had for everyone he met.

Tony demonstrates the impact that one individual can have on an entire community and serves as an inspiration for future generations of New Mexicans. His warmth, dedication and selflessness were felt by all. My thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and everyone who experienced Tony's generosity and compassion. May the memory of Tony live on in our hearts.

Section 3:

``He shall from time to time give the Congress information of the State of

the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient;

``He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; . . . ''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Travis Wood, a devoted husband, loving father and proud New Mexican.

While born a Texan, Travis was raised as a New Mexican. In 1912, Travis was born near the small town of Wellington, Texas; three short years later, his family traveled to New Mexico, where he would devote a lifetime of service to a community he loved dearly.

Travis was a man of great integrity. He grew up enduring the extremely difficult hand-to-mouth existence as a member of a homestead family. Along with the hard times, however, came many lessons that would serve him throughout his life. At the onset of World War II, Travis enlisted in the United States Navy as a motor machinist first class on the Navy sub-chaser SC 1354, often referred to as the ``Splinter Fleet''. The Splinter Fleet was detailed to Omaha Beach on D-Day and Travis would later be awarded the bronze star for his courage and valor.

In 1952, following the war, Travis and his wife Clara moved the family to Roy, New Mexico, where Travis accepted a job as a rural letter carrier. Anyone who knew Travis will tell you that his commitment to his country and the State of New Mexico was unwavering. He became an icon in his community as a tireless public figure, serving several terms as Mayor of the Village of Roy, on the Roy School Board, the ENMR Tele-communications Board and the Eastern Plains Council of Governments (COG). In addition, he was an avid member in the Roy Lions Club, the American Legion, the Roy and Springer Masonic Lodges, and a board member of St. Paul's Methodist Church/United Church of Roy.

Travis was always searching for ways to stimulate the economy in his cherished community. For his lasting and effective contributions, his fellow citizens honored his name with the Travis Wood Senior Center. But Travis's most treasured triumph was a private one: building a family. He passionately loved his son Gary Wood, daughter Cheryl Wood Scott, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gentle, patient, compassionate, loving and selfless--Travis was a helper to many and a friend to all. Travis demonstrates the impact that one individual can have on an entire community and his warmth was felt by all those who knew him. Today, Travis is not with us, but his legacy and lessons will endure in all those he touched. May the memory of Travis live on in our hearts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Albuquerque resident George Allen Ortiz for his honorable military service in the United States Marine Corps.

George Allen Ortiz, affectionately known as ``Al'', was born in the northern New Mexico town of Raton. At the ripe age of 17, Al began his service in the Vietnam War. He would honorably serve his country from February 28, 1964 to February 16, 1970 in the First Marine Division at battles that ensued in the South Vietnam city of Da Nang.

I had the pleasure of personally meeting with Al on Veteran's Day to thank him for his dedicated service to the United States of America. In that wonderful moment I could sense Al's burning pride and fervent patriotism. It reminded me of the countless individuals, throughout history, who fought tirelessly to preserve the guiding principles and enduring freedoms of our country. Al's commitment to the preservation of these pursuits and our country's continued success is unwavering.

Al was recently diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a result of the risks that American soldiers face when they step onto the battlefield. He has the wonderful support of Cathy, his wife of 45 years, daughter Tamra and six grandchildren who love him dearly. Like a true soldier, he is always thinking about the young Americans who are currently making sacrifices to defend the United States. At age 65, Al still talks about his desire to travel overseas to help our brave men and women as they courageously engage in combat.

It is heroes like Al who make our country great. He is a man of great integrity, revered

by his family, friends and community. I would like to take this moment to thank Al for his service, his sacrifice, and his steadfast devotion to the great state of New Mexico and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Alfonso J. Ortiz, a devoted husband, loving father and proud New Mexican.

Alfonso's New Mexico roots run deep--he is a direct descendent of a Conquistador during the time of Diego De Vargas who served as Spanish governor for the New Spain territory of Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico. Alfonso would carry on this legacy. From the beginning, Alfonso displayed an impassioned sense of duty, pride and commitment to those he loved, his community and our country. At 17 years old, Alfonso proudly enlisted in the United States Army serving with honor and distinction in World War II.

Alfonso would embark on a 30 year career as a Civil Service Employee with the United States Post Office (USPS). Starting out as a Rural Route Letter Carrier, Alfonso ascended through the ranks and at one point supervised all the mail carriers in Santa Fe. Alfonso was a man of great integrity and revered by his employees. Whenever a letter carrier passed by, they would remind his children of what a wonderful boss he was; they would do anything in the world for him because they knew he never asked of them anything he would not do himself.

After World War II, Alfonzo returned to New Mexico to marry the love of his life Anne Rodriguez. They would live out their life together in Santa Fe, New Mexico with their 6 children and 8 grandchildren. Alfonso's unconditional and everlasting love for his family was boundless and when his wife Anne developed cancer he was her main caregiver, always at her side, even as she drew her last breath.

Alfonso represents the best of our country--kindness toward others, respect for everyone and limitless love. He lived his life with ardor, zeal and enterprise; striving to create a better life for his family and community. Alfonso is a spectacular new Mexican who moved and inspired individuals not with rhetoric but through actions, leading by example. Today, Alfonso is not with us but his legacy and lessons will endure in all those he met. May the memory of Alfonso live on in our hearts.

Madam Speaker, I rise during National Family Caregivers Month to recognize the millions of family caregivers who do incredible work every day and to talk about the future of caregiving in this country.

Right now, the vast majority of care services in the United States are provided by family caregivers. They do this out of love for their loved ones, to restore and maintain respect and dignity, and because the vast majority of disabled adults and seniors rely on Medicare as their primary insurance, and Medicare does not pay for long-term care services, and they are barely ineligible for Medicaid, which might.

Forty-nine million Americans provide more than 520 billion in care to seniors and adults with disabilities every year. They manage a range of really difficult responsibilities because they have a friend or a loved one who is older or who has a disability and is in need of extra help.

I know how tough it is to be a family caregiver because I am one. My mother, who lives with me in New Mexico, relies on me to oversee her care and also provide financial support. These are difficult arrangements for a number of reasons. Having a parent rely on a child when they have spent their life being the caregiver can be a tough transition to make.

But family caregivers navigate that relationship while taking the time to call insurance companies and hospitals to ensure their loved one is getting proper care and while often having to use their own resources to cover many of the costs associated with that care.

They do it out of love, and they do it because they know that their mother or their husband or their friend wants to remain as independent as possible, and they know that they want to live out their lives with dignity. I think they have earned that right.

But these family caregivers cannot do it alone. They need someone to take their sister to her appointment and when they get busy with a day at work or to make sure that their dad takes his medication while they attend a parent-teacher conference.

Already in this country, we have got more than 4 million men and women who have chosen direct care as a career and provide these kind of services on a paid basis, but if you look at the sheer demographics, that is not nearly enough.

As the baby boom generation continues to age, demand for services will increase. The gap between the number of family caregivers and direct care workers and the number of people who need services will continue to grow.

In 2010, there were seven potential caregivers for every person over the age of 80. By 2030, that ratio is projected to drop by almost half, to 4.1.

In the direct care workforce, demand is projected to grow, so that the U.S. will need to add at least 1 million more direct care workers over the next 10 years.

So we face real challenges in growing a workforce that will help meet the needs of our population. At the same time, our economy continues to slowly recover from the Great Recession.

Young people looking to enter the workforce, along with workers who are willing to retrain, want to find jobs in a field that is growing and can provide them with some job security.

So I see two challenges that I think can be solved with one coordinated national effort called Care Corps. My bill, H.R. 5288, creates a national Care Corps that will place volunteers and communities to work with seniors and individuals with disabilities who need a little extra support to live independently.

In return for their services, volunteers will receive health insurance and other benefits, along with a postservice educational award. This award can be used to pay for up to 2 years of attendance at an institution of higher education or to pay back educational loans.

But I want to end with what I think will be the program's legacy if we are able to get this done. Care Corps provides an opportunity for intergenerational relationships, for seniors and our young people to learn from each other, and for us as a country to gain a better sense of our history to the people that lived it.

Anyone who has ever been a caregiver will tell you not just that it was challenging, but that it was incredibly rewarding.

So I want to thank our family caregivers who are already filling a serious void in this country, and I want to urge my colleagues to support them by supporting the National Care Corps Act.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues, both Representative Carson from Indiana and my colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows), for their support on S. 898. As you have just heard, this is a companion bill to a nearly identical bill, my bill H.R. 3998, which passed this body on June 17.

Now, we have also heard that this bill is to sell a Federal building at fair market value which costs more in its current lease arrangement than it does in this transaction and arrangement. You have also heard that this is an incredible school, memorializing an incredible legacy.

But what you haven't heard today is that the foundation has raised more than $3 million to continue to invest not only in the purchase of the building but to expand their educational footprint in New Mexico.

In my district in Albuquerque, we have difficulties reaching out to a high-poverty, high at-risk high school group. This school has incredible outcomes. They are seeing a 100 percent graduation rate, 80 percent graduation rates out of college; and of that 80 percent, nearly all of those students continue a very aggressive community relationship. Part of this school's requirement is that not only do you meet your basic high school curriculum but you have to invest considerably in community work in a variety of nonprofit and charitable work.

I want to also give a special thanks and extend my gratitude to Senator Tom Udall for working with me on this bill and to Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall for their help in bringing the legislation to the floor.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill that helps the Amy Biehl High School to continue to provide Albuquerque students with a first-rate education while also preserving a historic piece of downtown Albuquerque.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Master Sergeant Jessey J. Baca, a dedicated service member, proud family man and loyal civil servant who is entering a well-deserved retirement.

Jessey's burning passion for his country is a distinctive characteristic that he has embodied throughout his life. On October 1, 1977, just a year before graduating high school in Los Lunas, New Mexico, Jessey enlisted in the United States Navy delayed entry program.

Jessey went on to serve 4 years in the Navy aboard the USS Coral Sea CV 43 with Squadron VA 27 out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. In 1983, Jessey joined the New Mexico Air National Guard as an Electronics Technician in the Avionics department to work on A-7s and F-16 fighters. In total Jessey would spend over 37 years in military service and 32 years in federal service to the United States of America, seeing to our interests across the globe, from Belgium to Chile, France to Iceland, and halfway around the world to China.

But it was Jessey's service in Iraq that would ultimately alter the course of his life. When Jessey returned to the United States, he was confronted with a multitude of ailments: everything from cancer, to chronic bronchiolitis, chemical induced asthma, brain lesions, TBI, PTSD and a host of other health complications. There was strong reason to believe that this was caused by exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

As Jessey explained:

``Contractors were burning all the waste. Anything from

body parts to metal and everything in between. Computer

parts, batteries, whatever could go in there were burned and

it would burn 24-7.''

In unprecedented fashion, Jessey spearheaded a movement to create a national registry for veterans affected by bum pits during their service. Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico, after meeting with Jessey, decidedly introduced the Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011 (S. 1798) with Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee.

On January 10, 2013, Jessey's vision became a reality when President Obama signed into law legislation creating a national bum pit registry. The truth is that Jessey's life's work is a testament to true patriotism; not only did he fight and serve bravely on behalf of the American people, he spoke up for his fellow service members and successfully created lasting protections for current, and future veterans returning home.

As Jessey enters his retirement, he looks forward to celebrating loving memories and time with his wife, and high school sweetheart, Maria Margaret Baca, his two girls Victoria Baca-Garcia, and Racheal Elizabeth Baca-Sweeney, and three grandchildren Ireland Ajai Lowe, Logan Kai Sweeney, and Zachary Kaikoa Garcia. Jessey's esteemed character, defined by selflessness, enthusiasm, and love of life are felt by all who know him. As he enters retirement I hope he continues to inspire future generations to give back as much as he has to our wonderful country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of New Mexico resident Nancy Ann McCallister, who passed away on August 16, 2014.

Nancy was a lifelong resident of New Mexico, with family ties to some of New Mexico's oldest families. She was a descendant of Don Juan Vigil y Montes de Santa Anna, and Michel des Marais, who would later become one of the founders of the city of Las Vegas in 1835. To this day Nancy's family continues to live in New Mexico, preserving the rich cultural heritage of their ancestors.

For Nancy, there was nothing more important than her loving family, friends and helping those in need. Her love extended far beyond her eight children to her eighteen grandchildren and twelve great- grandchildren. She was a loving mother and nurturing caretaker.

Nancy loved gatherings with family and friends, and like a true New Mexican, enchiladas were mandatory. As her kids will tell you, she loved to entertain dozens of people and nothing brought her more delight and pleasure than making them smile. She would often tell her favorite story about training a young William G. ``Bing'' Grady when she worked at Albuquerque National Bank in the 1950s. Mr. Grady would go on to become president of the bank.

Nancy was a great listener and many people came to her for advice and wisdom. She was inclusive and never judgmental. Whether it was raising her kids or helping individuals overcome the burden of alcoholism, she always embraced the opportunity to help someone by teaching them with words of wisdom, a helping hand and a guiding heart. This kind- heartedness and understanding made Nancy an exceptional person, cherished by her family and respected as a role model for all her kids.

A lifelong New Mexican with deep family roots in our state, Nancy represents the best of our state. The qualities she exemplified--love, compassion and empathy--are the qualities New Mexico strives toward each and every day. Our state is richer and fuller because Nancy taught us to love more, not less; to be selfless, not selfish, and to always remember that it is the people around us who make life worth living.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mel B. O'Reilly for his dedicated work as a lawyer in New Mexico and tireless service to the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

From an early age Mel was a committed family member and disciplined individual. At the ripe age of 12, Mel's father fell ill which meant working extra shifts in the family restaurant and bar.

The extra hours he spent supporting his family meant less time for other activities and put a strain on Mel's attendance at morning chapel services. The parochial school's counselor, a monsignor, took notice and chastised Mel in front of his peers, called him a ``barmaid'' and threatened to expel him. Mel stood up to the monsignor and said: ``There's no need to expel me, I'll quit school. I've got to go to work.''

This hardship did not stop Mel's drive to succeed. He continued both working in the bar and studying, and during his senior year of high school, at 15 years old, Mel was ranked at the top of his class.

Still, none of colleges Mel applied to accepted him; he would later find out that the monsignor wrote to every school and told them to reject him. It was not until Mel took a trip with some friends to Long Island that Mel met a recruiter from St. Michael's College in Santa Fe, NM. That recruiter saw a bright young man in Mel, and St. Michael's College welcomed him with open arms, forever changing his life.

Mel would go on to graduate from St. Michael's College, and afterward from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1971. That same year, Mel married Monica McCormick, daughter of Don G. McCormick, and moved to Carlsbad to join the late Mr. McCormick's law firm.

A few years later, Mel and Monica moved to Ruidoso where they raised twins, Colm and Dylan, and their youngest son, Brendan. Mel eventually opened his own law firm in Ruidoso in the late 70s. Mel practiced in all areas of law while in Ruidoso and developed an expertise in banking, commercial, corporate, real estate, and probate law.

In 1989, Mel and the family moved to Albuquerque where he set up his private practice working on everything from personal injury and wrongful death to contract and collection cases. It was in Albuquerque where Mel volunteered his legal services to the Democratic Party of New Mexico, and served as a longtime ward chairman and Democratic Party supporter. He served many roles, including Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico's Resolutions Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Platform and By-Laws Committee and respective committees for the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County.

A successful lawyer, community icon, and loving father--Mel is a talented man of courage and integrity. His character, love of life, enthusiasm and selflessness are felt by all who know him. As Mel enters retirement and reflects on his life and career, his proudest accomplishment is his family. He is very proud that he and his wife Monica raised three successful children: Dylan of Farmington and Brendan of Albuquerque who are both lawyers, and Colm who is an electrical engineer and renewable energy consultant living abroad.

I wish Mel all the best as he looks forward to traveling with Monica, diving with CoIm, and spending time with Dylan and Brendan in his retirement. His achievements and accomplishments are truly remarkable. I join his family and friends in celebrating the contributions he made, throughout his life, to his family, his community, and the great State of New Mexico.

Mr. Speaker, this month marks the 50th anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Wilderness Act. This landmark legislation established a dedicated and permanent funding source for the conservation and protection of America's irreplaceable recreational, natural, historic, and cultural landmarks.

All told, New Mexico has received over $230 million from the LWCF to preserve areas that support our outdoor recreational economy and public well-being. In my district, important sites such as Petroglyphs National Monument and the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge--the first refuge in the Southwest to serve an urban area--will be protected for generations to come thanks to the LWCF.

The LWCF has created outdoor recreation opportunities in every state and 98 percent of counties across the country, yet there are so many other natural and historic wonders that deserve protection.

The best way we can honor the LWCF's half century of success is to reauthorize the fund before it expires next year. We owe it to our children and our children's children to ensure LWCF has the opportunity to celebrate many more anniversaries.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Trudy Healy; a woman of remarkable talents who has an unwavering commitment to preserving water quality in our great State of New Mexico.

From an early age, Trudy proved to be curious and passionate about her surroundings She was gifted with a virtuous heart, and immersed herself in every aspect of her community in Taos, New Mexico. Her mother, Mercedes Gonzales Valerio, was her trusted friend and confidant whom Trudy loved dearly. Trudy would tell others that her creativity stemmed from her mother, who surrounded herself with artists, instilling in her daughter a deep appreciation for art.

Her father was Juan I. Valerio, a two-term County Commissioner for Taos, and a well-respected man who was revered for his generosity and service to his community. He also proudly served as the ``acequia mayordomo'' or ``ditch boss'' and he taught his daughter how to farm, irrigate, appreciate water, and recognize the vitality it brings to a community. Trudy would carry these values with her throughout her entire life.

Trudy and her husband, Edmund Healy, would go on to found the Healy Foundation to focus on land and water issues and projects that promote healthy New Mexico communities. Through their foundation Trudy and Edmund have built partnerships with local, state and federal entities to generate funding for land and water projects in New Mexico and invested in courses at New Mexico State University for regulators and inspectors. They also contributed to the film ``The Water Haulers,'' spurring swift approval of the Navajo-Gallup water project in Congress. The project helped make clean water available to more than 240,000 residents.

In 2001, Governor Bill Richardson appointed Trudy to the Water Trust Board and was elected its Treasurer. Her involvement had an immediate effect. As the proud founder of the Acequia Project Fund for the Water Trust Fund, Trudy championed a holistic approach to water issues and fought to ensure the prosperity of underrepresented rural communities in New Mexico. Trudy understands the connection between water and people; what it means for survival, economic livelihood, and cultural heritage.

It is astonishing to think of all that Trudy has accomplished and fulfilled in her life: a horseback rider, successful art gallery owner and connoisseur, folk singer, guitar player, film writer, avid rancher, passionate water advocate, loving mother and proud wife to name a few. Her zest for life is endless and if you talked to anyone who knows her, they would tell you that water is her true passion. I look forward to continuing to work with Trudy on the important water issues facing our state and country and would like to take this moment to recognize all that she has done for New Mexico.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Shana Runck as she receives the White House Champion of Change award. Each week, the President of the United States honors local leaders, who perform extraordinary work on a daily basis in their community to build a better America.

Shana is the Assistant Vice President of Community Relations and Financial Capabilities with New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union. Every day she shares her experience and knowledge, providing financial education and job training to at-risk Latino students in New Mexico. Shana is a true role model, instilling in others the same confidence that drives her success. She shares her work ethic in a selfless way and teaches others that with persistence and determination, anything is attainable.

Our very own city of Albuquerque is fortunate to have such a remarkable person in Shana. She has played a vital role in developing the City of Albuquerque's ``Running Starts for Careers'' program, and she has designed the Financial Services Career Exploration course to ensure they receive college credit for their internship experience. Shana's outstanding work within the local community has helped students continue their education and get job-training in trade fields that interest them

Shana exemplifies the bedrock principles of our nation; civic engagement, love for our neighbor, an understanding that one ripple of change can soon become a current, and the idea that one individual can have a profound impact on a community. I have no doubt that Shana will continue to accomplish great things in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the

everlasting heritage of the Albuquerque Dukes baseball team, the famous ``Duke'' logo strewn across their dirt-stained jerseys and its rich cultural representation of our great state of New Mexico. I would also like to extend my gratitude to trademark owners Fred Matteucci and Steve Palmisano for recognizing the rich historical significance of this iconic symbol and bringing it back to our community.

In 1915, the Albuquerque Dukes became the first recognized professional baseball team, and joined the Class D Rio Grande Association featuring the Spanish conquistador as their symbol and mascot; they called him the ``Duke''.

The symbol of the Duke had far reaching ties to the identity and narrative that defines the city of Albuquerque. It derived from Francisco Cuervo y Valdez who wrote to Francisco Fernandez de la Cueva, a viceroy of New Spain, later known as The Duke of Alburquerque to inform him of their newly founded villa. The ``r'' would later be dropped, but that site still remains and now features our beautiful Albuquerque metropolis of over 500,000 people.

It is remarkable how much the Dukes baseball team impacted our community. From the Great Depression, to the Manhattan Project, to the Cold War, and to the countless other events in our nation's history the Albuquerque Dukes were always there.

For 88 years, the Dukes took the field. Most New Mexicans still remember the smell of the grass, the pop of the ball when it met the wood of the bat, and preparing a fresh hot dog on the back of a pick-up truck parked above the lava rocks beyond the outfield fence. The Dukes became a cultural identity, a representation of what it is to be New Mexican and a sense of pride for everyone in Albuquerque. Families and friends celebrated victories and mourned the losses, but through it all they never lost faith in their team.

Although the Dukes no longer play, their legacy endures. Each spring, The Duke City and the Albuquerque Isotopes renew this commitment. Many fans still sport the Spanish-influenced red and gold jerseys and remember back to the excitement of the first pitch of every game. Thanks to individuals like Fred and Steve and the countless Albuquerquians who continue to proudly display the iconic conquistador, we can continue to preserve our unique history and tradition for future generations.