NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New Mexico’s three representatives in Congress pushed two major bills through to committee on Tuesday, the Albuquerque Indian School Act and the Downwinder Commemoration Act. The Albuquerque Indian School Act would transfer pieces of federal land that were historically part of the former Albuquerque Indian School. The 10 acres of land would be held in a trust for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the 19 pueblos in New Mexico.
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Meanwhile, the Downwinder Commemoration Act would direct the federal government to place commemorative plaques at White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and White Sands National Park, honoring those who suffered health effects as a result of exposure to radioactive fallout.
Both bills were co-sponsored by every member of the New Mexico House delegation. It’s a big deal because not a lot of things happen in Congress these days, and certainly not a lot of things happen on a bipartisan and unanimous basis. I think it really speaks to the importance of these bills,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-New Mexico).
The two bills passed with a unanimous vote out of the House, and they will head to the resources committee next…