III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 213 

Recognizing the historical significance of the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, 

on the occasion of its 400th anniversary. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 16, 2009 

Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself and Mr. UDALL of New Mexico) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the historical significance of the city of Santa 

Fe, New Mexico, on the occasion of its 400th anniversary. 

Whereas, before 1598, the Pueblos of the Rio Grande region 

of New Mexico inhabited the area now officially known as 

Santa Fe; 

Whereas, from the first arrival of Spanish colonists in August 

of 1598, the Pueblos of the Rio Grande and adjoining regions of New Mexico provided support and sustenance to 

those colonists, which allowed the colonists to persevere 

at San Gabriel del Yunque, the first villa and capital of 

New Mexico located in the Pueblo lands of Ohkay 

Owingeh; 

Whereas, on March 30, 1609, the viceroy of New Spain, Luis 

de Velasco II, upon receiving a royal proclamation from 

the King of Spain and the captain general of New MexVerDate Nov 24 2008 03:49 Jul 17, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR213.IS SR213

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•SRES 213 IS 

ico, ordered Governor Pedro de Peralta to arrive in New 

Mexico before the end of 1609 and establish a villa at the 

site of what is now known as Santa Fe; 

Whereas some 70 years following the establishment of the 

villa of Santa Fe, the Pueblos took up arms and forced 

the inhabitants of the villa to retreat to El Paso de Guadalupe in what was then Mexico; 

Whereas, in 1692, the Spanish colonists began to return to 

the villa, which, although initially peaceful, resulted in 

several armed conflicts lasting through 1696; 

Whereas, following the repopulation of Santa Fe and reinstitution of the Spanish government in New Mexico, the 

Pueblos and Spanish colonists found ways to engage in 

mutual cultural interchange; 

Whereas, over the following years, and despite intermittent 

disputes, the colonists and the descendants of the colonists formed alliances with the Pueblos and each accommodated the culture of the other, allowing Santa Fe to 

flourish; 

Whereas the peaceful acceptance of each other’s cultures continued through the conquest of New Mexico by the 

United States during the war with Mexico, contributed to 

the evolution of the cultural heritage of Santa Fe, and 

resulted in the recognition by the State and Federal governments of the sovereign rights of the Pueblos, including 

their right to self-government; 

Whereas, during 2009 and 2010, Santa Fe will proudly observe the 400th anniversary of the settlement and subsequent founding as a villa and the multicultural heritage 

of the city with suitable events and observances to commemorate the occasion and to pass on to future generaVerDate Nov 24 2008 03:49 Jul 17, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR213.IS SR213

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•SRES 213 IS 

tion the heritage of Santa Fe and the surrounding region; and 

Whereas it is important that the commemoration provide a 

foundation for peace, hope, and collaboration for Santa 

Fe and its surrounding communities, and a foundation 

for moving forward as a flagship community within the 

State of New Mexico: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the historical significance of the 

3 city of Santa Fe, New Mexico; 

4 (2) recognizes the 400th anniversary of the es5 tablishment of Santa Fe; and 

6 (3) encourages the people of the United States 

7 to observe the anniversary with appropriate cere8 monies and activities. 

Æ 


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