In Memory Of Former Governor Bruce King Of New Mexico

Floor Speech

In Memory Of Former Governor Bruce King Of New Mexico

Mr. LUJÁN. Mr. Speaker, today I join my friends Martin Heinrich and Harry Teague to celebrate the life of Bruce King. For so long, Governor King has been a constant and warming presence in New Mexico, dedicating himself to our State and touching the lives of New Mexicans from border to border with his kind words, hardy laugh, and friendly drawl. It's tough to go far in New Mexico without talking to someone who has a story about Governor King, and I'm no different.

When I turned 1 year of age, Governor King sent my parents a silver cup from himself and Mrs. King, from Alice, that still holds a prominent place in my mom and dad's house. It's a practice he followed to let people know he cared and that they were in his thoughts, even as he presided over a growing and emerging State. I'm sure that there are silver cups and similar stories across New Mexico, memories sitting on mantels, stories retold around family dinner tables. His thoughtfulness and down-home way of reaching out to people across our State made him a legend.

Raised in the fields of New Mexico and instilled with a sense of value in public service, the worth of a hard day's work and a kindness toward all, Governor King went to work early in life for our country and State.

He served in the Army in World War II, and when he came home, he settled his family in a beautiful place called Stanley, New Mexico. He was always a rancher, a genuine cowboy, and the values he learned on the ranch guided his service in our State. Governor King used to say that when cowboys came to the ranch to water their stock, his parents didn't ask if they were Democrats or Republicans. And he took that lesson to heart.

While working across the aisle in his time as a county commissioner, State legislator, as speaker of the House and finally as our Governor, when he got a question about a tough piece of legislation or a tough issue, his approach to bipartisanship was often highlighted by his wit. ``Well, some of my friends are for it,'' and he'd continue to say, ``and some of my friends are against it, and I will support my friends.''

This steady and collaborative approach to governance led to many accomplishments that were only overshadowed by the strength of Governor King's character and the size of his heart. With the helpful guidance of his wife, Alice, he made the Children, Youth, and Families Department a new State agency to look out for New Mexico's children, and he made sure the students statewide had access to kindergarten, and their schools had steady funding, no matter if they lived in a growing city or in a quiet little farm.

He valued the land, and he made sure it was protected through an environmental improvement agency. And his commonsense approach to finances led to the creation of the State's Rainy Day Fund and the Mineral Trust.

Governor King's accomplishments were many, but his legacy will be shaped by his deep affection for our State and his ability to connect with New Mexicans. He remembered names and family members all over the State, whether you were a mom or a dad or a brother or a sister. When he walked into a general store, a local restaurant or a farmhouse, he made sure to extend his hand to everyone and ask them with a drawl, ``How are y'all doing?'' When they returned the question, he answered, ``Mighty fine, mighty fine'' before starting a conversation.

Our State and our country are better for Governor King's service, and his words and deeds will long echo in our State. For generations, people will remember Governor King's legacy and benefit from his work, and I hope all New Mexicans will heed his most important lessons and take some time to talk to their neighbors and get to know them, help their communities, and give a little back to our State. If we do this, if we all work a little bit harder, with a little more compassion and a little more common sense, when someone asks you how you're doing, we might be able to look them in the eye and say, ``Mighty fine, mighty fine.''

We're going to miss you, Bruce.

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