HM 13
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A MEMORIAL
DECLARING FEBRUARY 5, 2025 "PUBLIC HEALTH DAY" IN THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WHEREAS, public health promotes and protects the health
of people and the communities where they live, learn, work
and play; and
WHEREAS, public health organizations shepherded New
Mexicans through the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,
including vaccine promotion and delivery that resulted in
over seventy-five percent of New Mexicans being vaccinated
against the coronavirus disease 2019; and
WHEREAS, place-based public and community health
organizations play a critical role in identifying the needs
and priorities of the communities most impacted by dire
health inequities; and
WHEREAS, place-based public and community health
organizations create, promote and carry out programs and
strategies that connect New Mexicans to essential resources
and are the backbone of New Mexico's public health
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the New Mexico public health association was
established in 1917; and
WHEREAS, the New Mexico public health association is the
state affiliate of the American public health association and HM 13
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has built the capacity of New Mexico's public health workers
and advanced health equity in New Mexico for one hundred
eight years; and
WHEREAS, the New Mexico public health association is
forging strong partnerships with community organizations to
center public health workforce development in partnerships
and paradigms that acknowledge and educate on the harmful
legacies of settler colonialism, genocide and racism and the
communities most impacted by health inequities; and
WHEREAS, the New Mexico public health association and
the New Mexico alliance of health councils have a close
ongoing partnership; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico's community health councils were
established under the auspices of the 1991 County Maternal
and Child Health Plan Act; and
WHEREAS, the County Maternal and Child Health Plan Act
was amended in 2007 to include community health councils
located in tribal communities; and
WHEREAS, the County Maternal and Child Health Plan Act
was repealed and, in 2019, the County and Tribal Health
Councils Act was passed to update roles and functions for
tribal and county health councils and the department of
health; and
WHEREAS, for thirty-four years, New Mexico's county and
tribal health councils have served the state with dedication HM 13
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and distinction to improve the health of all New Mexicans;
and
WHEREAS, health councils continue to serve as the hub of
public health systems in counties and tribal communities and
produce assessments and plans that identify local health
strengths, needs, priorities and strategies; and
WHEREAS, community health councils have developed and
implemented programs and services to address critical health
needs and to increase access to essential services; and
WHEREAS, community health councils have worked with
communities to attract federal, state and private funding to
communities to support health programs and services; and
WHEREAS, community health councils continue to provide
accurate, up-to-date information on local health needs to
state agencies and nonprofit service providers; and
WHEREAS, community health councils have provided
planning and coordination of local health services that
result in reducing duplication and filling gaps in services;
and
WHEREAS, the New Mexico alliance of health councils has
provided critical coordination, capacity building and
advocacy on behalf of tribal and county health councils; and
WHEREAS, the work and role of the New Mexico alliance of
health councils have allowed tribal and county health
councils to carry out high-quality assessments, programs and HM 13
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services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 5,
2025 be declared "Public Health Day" in the house of
representatives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico's public health
organizations, including the New Mexico public health
association and the New Mexico alliance of health councils
and its constituent county and tribal health councils, along
with critical community-based organizations, be recognized
and celebrated for their accomplishments and their combined
one hundred forty-two years of service in improving community
well-being and advancing health equity among the people of
New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the governor and the secretary of health for
appropriate distribution.