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1A MEMORIAL
2  DECLARING FEBRUARY 4, 2026 "VALENCIA COUNTY DAY" IN THE HOUSE
3  OF REPRESENTATIVES.
4
5WHEREAS, Valencia county is part of the historic Rio
6  Abajo region; and
7WHEREAS, in 1739, the king of Spain granted the famous
8  town of Tome land grant-merced to thirty families,
9  establishing a foundational community in what is now Valencia
10 county; and
11      WHEREAS, the village of Los Lunas was founded by
12 Spaniards in the eighteenth century and has grown to become
13 one of New Mexico's fastest-growing communities; and
14      WHEREAS, the city of Belen, officially known as "Nuestra
15 Senora de Belen", was a strategic point along the Camino Real,
16 also known as "the Royal Road", which carved a trade route
17 south into Mexico; and
18      WHEREAS, Belen later became known as "the hub city" due
19 to the Belen cutoff of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
20 railway, now known as the BNSF railway company; and
21      WHEREAS, Belen is home to the BNSF railway fuel station,
22 which is the busiest BNSF fuel station in the nation and plays
23 a critical role in supporting the transport of goods across
24 the country, reinforcing the city's importance as a major hub
25 for logistics and commerce; and  HM 48
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1WHEREAS, the town of Peralta is a historically
2  significant agricultural community founded along the Camino
3  Real and named for the Spanish explorer Don Pedro de Peralta;
4  and
5WHEREAS, Peralta has a rich historical legacy as the
6  site of the 1862 battle of Peralta, a notable engagement
7  during the American Civil War; and
8WHEREAS, the village of Bosque Farms became a
9  destination for relocated dust bowl refugees and was
10 incorporated as a municipality in 1974; and
11WHEREAS, Bosque Farms has a strong agricultural
12 heritage, with dairy production emerging as a key industry by
13 the 1960s, making the area known as "the heart of the Rio
14 Grande dairyland"; and
15WHEREAS, the city of Rio Communities is known for its
16 official slogan, "spectacular views, endless opportunities",
17 highlighting the community's natural beauty and
18 future-focused vision; and
19WHEREAS, in 2025, Rio Communities demonstrated its
20 commitment to infrastructure with the dedication of Founders
21 way, a new bypass road that is noted locally as one of the
22 fastest-completed roadway construction projects in Valencia
23 county history; and
24WHEREAS, the original pre-1937 United States route 66
25 runs through the heart of Valencia county, carrying travelers   HM 48
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1  through Los Lunas, Peralta and Isleta along present-day New
2  Mexico state road 314 and Main street/New Mexico state road
3  6, shaping early trade, cultural exchange and economic
4  development; and
5WHEREAS, Los Lunas will proudly celebrate its role in
6  the pre-1937 United States route 66 alignment as part of the
7  United States route 66 centennial observance in 2026,
8  recognizing its impact on local businesses and community
9  growth; and
10      WHEREAS, Valencia county proudly recognizes the Pueblo
11 of Isleta for its deep historical and cultural significance,
12 honoring its enduring contributions to the region's heritage,
13 identity and vitality; and
14      WHEREAS, Valencia county is the home of the largest
15 matanza in the world, a symbol of the rich Spanish heritage
16 of the Rio Grande valley, hosted annually by the Hispano
17 chamber of Valencia county to preserve traditions, promote
18 local businesses and raise funds for scholarships; and
19      WHEREAS, the greater Valencia county chamber of commerce
20 has played a pivotal role in driving business growth and
21 expansion in the region by fostering collaboration among
22 local businesses, providing valuable resources and supporting
23 initiatives that enhance economic development and community
24 prosperity; and
25      WHEREAS, Valencia county has emerged as a driver of        HM 48
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1  technological advancement, innovation and economic growth in
2  New Mexico with the highest number of manufacturers per
3  capita in the state, including major employers such as Meta,
4  Amazon, Arcosa, Colorcon, Wall Colmonoy and the Pacific
5  Fusion build center, fueling job creation and regional
6  prosperity; and
7WHEREAS, Los Lunas and Valencia county continue to serve
8  as a growing economic hub in central New Mexico, supported by
9  pro-business policies, population growth, expanding
10 industries and innovative development that strengthen the
11 state's national and global competitiveness;
12      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
13 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 4,
14 2026 be proclaimed "Valencia County Day" in the house of
15 representatives; and
16      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
17 transmitted to the mayors of the city of Belen, the village of
18 Los Lunas, the village of Bosque Farms, the town of Peralta
19 and the city of Rio Communities and the chair of the board of
20 county commissioners of Valencia county.  HM 48
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