CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY-FIRST COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-15-179 ENACTMENT NO. ______________________
SPONSORED BY: Ken Sanchez, Isaac Benton, Klarissa J. Peña
RESOLUTION
title
Naming The Central & Unser Library The "Central & Unser - Patrick J. Baca Library" (Sanchez, Benton, Peña)
body
NAMING THE CENTRAL & UNSER LIBRARY THE "CENTRAL & UNSER - PATRICK J. BACA LIBRARY".
WHEREAS, the Albuquerque Library Board voted unanimously on March 5, 2015 at their regularly scheduled board meeting to name the Central & Unser Library the "Central & Unser - Patrick J. Baca Library." The full service library is scheduled to open to the public in April of 2015; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Baca selflessly served the Westside Community and City of Albuquerque throughout his life, promoting family, community and education; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Baca was among the first group of citizens to serve as city councilors after Albuquerque adopted a new charter in 1974 and a mayor/city council form of government; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Baca represented District 1 from 1974 to 1989, and went on to serve as a Bernalillo County commissioner from 1990 to 1994; and
WHEREAS, as a city councilor and county commissioner he was at the forefront of developing essential quality of life projects such as the Albuquerque Open Space Program, the Albuquerque Museum, libraries and zoo; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Baca dedicated his life to educating children as a teacher and principal with the Albuquerque Public Schools. As a school principal, Mr. Pat Baca was known for presenting a book to every child on his or her birthday; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Baca has been described by his family, friends and colleagues as a "Renaissance Man," well-read, witty, loving, very serious and a very hard worker; and
WHEREAS, education was Mr. Baca's first and greatest passion, himself attending St. Joseph's College in Albuquerque on the GI Bill and earning a bachelor of arts degree followed by a master's degree in history from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas; and
WHEREAS, Pat Baca met Marie McDonald when they were students at St. Joseph's College/University of Albuquerque, they wed in 1949 and were married for 65 years and shared the love of reading and education, Marie serving as a librarian and Master Teacher for APS and Pat serving as a teacher and principal, they raised eight children, all of whom have college and post-graduate degrees; and
WHEREAS, Pat Baca was the recipient of the 1992 Distinguished Alumnus Award from New Mexico Highlands University, he was inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame in 1997, and presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Mexico Recreation and Parks Association in 2013; and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems it appropriate and in the public interest to recognize Patrick J. Baca for his significant contributions to literacy, education and the City of Albuquerque.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
Section 1. That the Central & Unser Library be named the "Central & Unser - Patrick J. Baca Library."
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