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HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 8
57
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
Joanne J. Ferrary and Tara L. Lujan and Sarah Silva
and John Block
A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ESTABLISH A REST
STOP ON UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 380 AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE
TRINITY SITE NEAR BINGHAM, NEW MEXICO.
WHEREAS, July 16, 2025 marks the eightieth anniversary of
the detonation of the first atomic weapon at the Trinity site
near Bingham, New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, the Trinity site remains a highly restricted area
within the White Sands missile range; and
WHEREAS, there is currently no plaque or other marker
informing travelers in the area of the great historical
significance of this site; and
WHEREAS, the lives of many residents of Socorro and Otero
counties were greatly impacted in the aftermath of the
detonation at the site; and
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WHEREAS, those individuals impacted by the detonation at
the site have become known as "downwinders" and have struggled
to achieve recognition of their sacrifice in the development of
the first atomic weapon, which ended World War II; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has never formally
recognized the contributions and sacrifices of the downwinders;
and
WHEREAS, there are fewer and fewer survivors of the
detonation of the first atomic weapon, making it more urgent to
acknowledge these contributions and sacrifices;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be
requested to construct an appropriate rest stop and memorial to
honor the downwinders at the entrance to the Trinity site near
Bingham on United States highway 380 as soon as practicable;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of
transportation be requested to install an appropriate roadside
informational plaque at the memorial site in consultation with
appropriate interested parties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of
transportation be requested to hold a dedication ceremony at
the memorial site on July 16, 2025 to honor the downwinders and
to extend an invitation to those individuals and families still
living and known to be among the residents impacted by the
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detonation at the Trinity site so they may be recognized for
their sacrifice and contributions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the governor, the secretary of transportation
and the Tularosa basin downwinders consortium.
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