Sen. Ortiz y Pino Sponsors Memorial Asking Governor to Recall Troops

From New Mexico Senate Democrats:
SANTA FE, NM – State Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D-Bernalillo) has entered Senate Memorial 11 that calls upon Governor Bill Richardson to exercise his authority as Commander in Chief of the New Mexico National Guard to recall the troops from duty in Iraq.

“I think it is needed because a disproportionate number of the casualties and fighting in Iraq is being conducted by National Guard troops,” says Senator Ortiz y Pino. “They are bearing the brunt of the ill conceived and almost certainly failing effort in Iraq, making it possible for the regular Army and regular Marine Corps units to avoid from dealing with the real full consequences of it.”

The legislation states there are 529 Army and Air National Guard Troops from New Mexico serving in Iraq today. It says that the troops were originally deployed because of concern there were weapons of mass destruction. Since no weapons of mass destruction found, the legislation calls upon the Governor to call the New Mexico troops home.

The Memorial is currently in the Senate Rules Committee. Supporters are urged to contact the committee's members to urge its passage.