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1A MEMORIAL
2  RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE PHYSICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY AT
3  NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY; CELEBRATING EIGHTY YEARS OF THE
4  LABORATORY'S RESEARCH AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO INNOVATION,
5  NATIONAL SECURITY, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC
6  PROSPERITY.
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8WHEREAS, the physical science laboratory at New Mexico
9  state university, founded in 1946 in Las Cruces, is southern
10 New Mexico's premier university-based applied research
11 laboratory, advancing technologies that support the nation's
12 defense, aerospace and security missions; and
13      WHEREAS, the physical science laboratory was established
14 in direct response to the nation's emerging defense, missile
15 and space programs following World War II, beginning with its
16 first contract on May 15, 1946 to support the army ballistics
17 research laboratory and assemble teams of students and
18 scientists to process and analyze V-2 rocket telemetry data
19 in support of early American rocket research at White Sands
20 proving ground; and
21      WHEREAS, during the mid-twentieth century, the
22 laboratory expanded its mission to include telemetry and
23 flight test support for military missile systems; the
24 development and testing of antennas and instrumentation; and
25 the establishment of satellite tracking capabilities that       HM 16
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1  contributed to global space tracking networks, strengthening
2  the United States' scientific, aerospace and defense
3  infrastructure throughout the Cold War and beyond; and
4WHEREAS, for nearly eight decades, the laboratory has
5  integrated applied research with hands-on education,
6  supporting partners across federal agencies, industry and
7  academia while translating academic innovation into mission-
8  ready capabilities that address evolving national security
9  and aerospace requirements; and
10      WHEREAS, the laboratory has continually evolved to meet
11 emerging national needs, sustaining and expanding expertise
12 in telemetry and missile systems, hypersonics, aerospace and
13 spaceflight systems, electronic warfare and advanced sensing
14 technologies, cybersecurity and information sciences,
15 unmanned aircraft systems and predictive modeling and
16 decision support, delivering mission-critical solutions that
17 enhance defense readiness, aerospace advancement and homeland
18 security; and
19      WHEREAS, the physical science laboratory is one of only
20 nine institutions nationwide designated by the federal
21 aviation administration as an unmanned aircraft systems test
22 site, and the laboratory plays a key role in advancing
23 unmanned aircraft systems research, testing and workforce
24 development that support safe integration of unmanned
25 aircraft systems technologies into the national airspace and    HM 16
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1  strengthening New Mexico's leadership in aerospace
2  innovation; and
3WHEREAS, the laboratory designs, builds, tests and
4  deploys advanced systems and technologies used by government
5  and industry partners worldwide, reinforcing New Mexico's
6  reputation as a center of excellence in national security,
7  aerospace and applied research; and
8WHEREAS, the laboratory plays a vital role in educating
9  and mentoring generations of students by providing hands-on
10 research, cooperative education and workforce development
11 programs that prepare New Mexico students for high-demand
12 careers in science, engineering, aerospace and national
13 security, strengthening the state's talent pipeline and long-
14 term economic competitiveness; and
15      WHEREAS, the laboratory serves as a cornerstone of
16 southern New Mexico's growing national security and
17 innovation ecosystem, collaborating closely with regional
18 military installations, industry partners, academic
19 institutions and community stakeholders while contributing
20 significantly to the economic vitality and technological
21 leadership of New Mexico and the broader southwest region of
22 the United States; and
23      WHEREAS, the enduring legacy of the physical science
24 laboratory reflects the values of innovation, service and
25 collaboration that define New Mexico and exemplifies the        HM 16
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1  essential role of university-based applied research
2  laboratories in advancing scientific discovery, national
3  defense, workforce development and public service;
4NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
5  REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the physical
6  science laboratory at New Mexico state university be
7  recognized and honored for the laboratory's eighty years of
8  distinguished service as the state's premier university-based
9  applied research laboratory and as a vital national security
10 and aerospace asset for New Mexico, the southwest and the
11 United States; and
12      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
13 transmitted to the president of New Mexico state university,
14 the director of the physical science laboratory and the
15 governor in appreciation of the laboratory's historic legacy
16 and continued contributions to innovation, national security,
17 workforce development and economic prosperity.  HM 16
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