NMCentennialBlueBook

In January, Governor Bill Richardson and the Legislature enact laws providing for the World's
First Purpose-Built Commercial Spaceport.
Esther Martinez (P'oe Tsawa), an educator and storyteller from Ohkay Owinghe, is named a
National Heritage Fellow, but tragically dies at the age of 94 in an auto accident on her way home
from the Washington ceremony.
Luis Jimenez, world renowned artist, is killed in his Hondo, New Mexico studio, while hoisting
pieces of a massive mustang sculpture (now at Denver International Airport) for final assembly.
First New Mexico Rail Runner Express service begins between Albuquerque and Bernalillo.
**2007
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson officially announces his candidacy for President of the
United States in Los Angeles, California on May 21, 2007.
Justice Pamela B. Minzner passes away August 31, 2007. On October 15, 2007, Governor Bill
Richardson appoints Charles W. Daniels to serve until the next General Election.
Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught, Santa Fe Mayor David Coss, and former Governor
Toney Anaya break ground on Phase II of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. The commuter
train will now extend from Belen to Santa Fe.
U.S. Senator Pete V. Domenici announces that he will retire after 36 years on Congress when
expires in 2008.
U.S. Representatives Heather Wilson, Steve Pearce and Tom Udall announce they will run for
the vacancy for U.S. Senator.
State Representative Manuel G. Herrera passes away on Sunday, October 21, 2007, in Bayard, NM.
President Pro Tempore Ben Altamirano, the longest-serving member of the State Senate, passed
away not far away in his home in Silver City on Dec. 27, 2007.
The State Printing Office Building was renamed the "Betty Fiorina New Mexico State Printing
Facility." Ceremonies take place on November 29, 2007. Betty Fiorina is the first person to ever
serve three terms as New Mexico Secretary of State. NOTE: Other Buildings named in honor of
NM leaders.
2008
Governor Bill Richardson announces on January 10, 2008, that he has dropped out of the
Presidential race and is endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President. This had to be a tough
decision since Richardson had been close to former Pres. Bill Clinton serving in various federal
positions with him and now Clinton's wife, Hillary, is running for the President position.
Lt.Gov. Diane Denish endorses Hilary Clinton for President.
Senator Hillary Clinton wins New Mexico's Democratic Caucus. Senator Clinton receives
73,105 votes and Barack Obama receives 71,396. New Mexico, usually considered a swing state,
votes Democrat with all 5 of its electoral presidential votes going to Barack Obama; its open
senatorial seat going to Tom Udall (D) (Senator Jeff Bingaman (D) was not up for re-election);
and all 3 of its congressional seats going to Harry Teague (D), Martin Heinrich (D), and Ben Ray
Lujan (D), son of long standing NM Speaker of the House, Ben Lujan.
Virgin Galactic signs a 20-year lease agreement with the State of New Mexico on December 31,
2008 to begin groundbreaking on Spaceport America.
Engineers at Los Alamos National laboratory and IBM Corp. unveil the world's fastest supercomputer,
named Roadrunner.
New Mexico Rail Runner Express service begins between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Former First Lady Alice King, wife of Governor Bruce King, dies and her body placed in the
Rotunda of the State Capitol for her many admirers to pay their respects prior to the burial in their
home town of Stanley, south of Santa Fe. She had served longer than any other First Lady and was
a most active and effective First Lady--particularly with the combining of various departments to
created the Children, Youth and Families Department.
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