Dear Friends,

We are on our way into 2008, and I trust the New Year is off to a good start for you. This month, Nancy and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. It was wonderful to be surrounded by our eight children and many grandchildren, along with some of our close friends, as we remembered our blessings and many joys over the last 50 years, and looked forward to those yet to come.

In this issue, I bring you up to speed on Congress’ work at the end of 2007, including the FY2008 federal budget, which impacted many New Mexico communities and projects. As you read, I also hope you’ll take note of local events and activities in New Mexico honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 21, as well as updates on ID provisions at U.S. borders. There is information on the availability of federal coupons for the nationwide transition to digital television, and a quick reminder on the upcoming deadline for the Ag Census.

In Washington, Congress is gearing up for the FY2009 budget, the President’s State of the Union address and a possible economic stimulus package. It looks like it will be a busy year, and I’ll keep up my work here for New Mexicans. Please continue to let me know how I or my staff can assist you.

Sincerely,

On Jan. 21, Americans will celebrate and remember the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. His civil rights message that rang so clear decades ago still holds true today and I’m pleased New Mexicans will participate in this year’s local events to honor his legacy and keep his memory alive.

Here in Washington, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall is progressing. It will provide a permanent location for visitors to recognize his impact on our nation and society. Organizers broke ground on the memorial in late 2006 and expect to commence construction this spring. Visit www.mlkmemorial.org to learn what you can do to support the memorial and Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

A variety of events are planned throughout New Mexico in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here’s a brief list, but be sure and check with local organizers for more information.

Alamogordo
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Alamogordo High School
Jan 19, 7:00 p.m.

Albuquerque
Grant Chapel Lay Organization Breakfast
Marriott North Hotel
Jan. 21, 8:00 a.m.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Congregation Albert
Jan. 21, 1:00 p.m.

Artesia
Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration
Artesia Community Center
Jan. 21, 10 a.m.

Carlsbad
Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Family Fellowship
Victory Christian Academy
Jan. 20, 2:30 p.m.

Clovis
16th Annual Clovis Community Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast
Clovis High School Cafeteria
Jan. 19, 9:00 a.m.

Santa Fe
State Capitol Rotunda
Jan. 21, 12 noon

Just after Christmas, President Bush signed into law an omnibus spending package that brought to an end a very difficult and contentious FY2008 federal budget cycle. While this bill worked to protect our national laboratories and military bases, I also think it is worthwhile to look at a few of the funding nuggets in the bill that will help individual New Mexico communities.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have consistently worked to secure funding for projects in our state that might be overlooked by the vast federal bureaucracy.

For instance, I am very happy that the omnibus bill includes earmarked funding I secured for the Ribera school house—nearly $240,000 that will be used to convert this old adobe schoolhouse in San Miguel County into a youth and community center.

And after several years of effort, I am pleased we will provide more than $900,000 to help expand dialysis center services in McKinley County, as well as $731,000 to improve the St. Vincent Hospital emergency room in Santa Fe, and another $731,000 to aid in building a community health center in Silver City.

These are just a few of the projects and programs I helped fund in the FY2008 appropriations process, and now I’m ready to do more as we gear up for the 2009 budget and appropriations season.

Many constituents have contacted my office regarding difficulties they’ve encountered while applying for a passport.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently in a transition period that will soon require everyone traveling in or out of the United States, including Mexico and Canada, to present a valid passport.

At the end of this month, all adult United States citizens entering the country through land or sea ports of entry will be required to

present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, as well as proof of identity, such as a driver’s license. Those under the age of 18 must present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

For more information on U.S. passport and travel requirements visit http://www.dhs.gov

To apply for a passport please contact your local post office for an application or visit http://travel.state.gov/

With the February 2009 deadline set, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is accepting applications for TV Converter Box coupons.

Remember, viewers who currently get their television reception through rooftop antennas or rabbit ears will need a converter box to receive television coverage on analog-style TV sets once the digital transition takes place on Feb. 17, 2009.

The NTIA has created a program for each U.S. household to obtain up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of converter boxes. These coupons are delivered through the mail and may be redeemed for up to three months.

For more information, to apply for a coupon, or to locate a converter box retailer near you, please visit http://www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009.

Agriculture producers in New Mexico have until Feb. 4 to submit their 2007 Census of Agriculture, a survey being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mailed in December by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Ag Census is intended to collect data from farmers, ranchers and dairy producers for the 2007 calendar year.

I’d like to remind those involved in New Mexico’s successful agriculture operations of the importance of this census.

The information you provide will influence important decisions about relevant issues including competitive market pricing, farm services, and environmental and conservation issues.

If you are an agriculture producer and have not received your census form, I recommended you visit the NASS website at www.nass.usda.gov.

Character Counts in New Mexico owes much of its success to many dedicated community partners. K.C. Wang is one such inspiration for all of us in this New Year.

K.C. joined the Character Counts initiative two years ago by aligning Panda Express restaurants in Albuquerque with Cool Yule, the annual holiday party for disadvantaged children. This year he and his restaurant staff did double duty by volunteering Albuquerque’s Panda Express restaurants as Cool Yule 2007 toy drop headquarters.

At this year’s party, Panda Express provided more than 1,000 hot meals to the children, parents, chaperones and volunteers who attended.

I’m grateful to K.C. Wang and his Panda Express team who have gone the extra mile to walk the walk and talk the talk of Character Counts!

Alan Varner believes that an effective billboard doesn’t have to be planted in the ground. With his “Big Flippin’ Ad Truck,” Alan drives the advertising right through traffic.

Alan’s “Southwest Mobile Media” company is based in Rio Rancho and delivers advertising messages on wheels directly to the customers’ targeted audience including concerts, conventions and sporting events.

This Rio Rancho entrepreneur has found a dynamic and effective spin for marketing strategy.

I commend his hard work to add to the small business backbone of the City of Vision.

Located in the Mora Valley east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is the Fort Union National Monument. Established in 1851, Fort Union dates back to New Mexico’s territorial days, where it protected the area’s inhabitants and trade routes. It is now preserved and is open year-round.

Fort Union has initiated a new effort called “The New Mexico Volunteers Living History Program.” Volunteers in the program will reenact life as the Hispanic soldiers of the First New Mexico Volunteers, who were enlisted and stationed at Fort Union during the Civil War. Fort Union hopes to begin presenting living history programs beginning in early spring this year at the fort as well as other local venues.

For more information about Fort Union please visit: http://www.nps.gov

A sample of local events in the New Year

Free Screening—True Whispers: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers
Branigan Cultural Center, Las Cruces
Jan. 19, 10:00 a.m.
www.las-cruces.org

16th Annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally
Jan. 19 – 20
www.mvbr.com

Presidential Chamber Music Series
Macey Center, Socorro
Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.
www.nmtpas.org

Chinese New Year Celebration
Chinese Culture Center, Albuquerque
Feb. 9, 1:00 p.m.
www.chineseculturecenter-ABQ.com

Mardi Gras in the Mountains
Red River
Jan. 31 – Feb. 5
www.redriver.org

Mardi Gras Weekend
Cloudcroft
Feb. 1 – 3
www.cloudcroft.net

Sky Safari
La Llorona Park, Las Cruces
Feb. 9, 7:00 p.m.
www.las-cruces.org