CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY FIFTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-23-111 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Klarissa J. Peña, Louie Sanchez, Trudy Jones
RESOLUTION
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Naming The Pillar Adjacent To The Auxiliary Stage On The West End Of Civic Plaza As The “Ken Sanchez Pillar Of The Community” In Honor Of The Late City Councilor Ken Sanchez For His Dedication And Commitment To Our Great City As An Albuquerque City Councilor, Bernalillo County Commissioner And Community Leader (Peña, Sanchez, Jones)
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NAMING THE PILLAR ADJACENT TO THE AUXILIARY STAGE ON THE WEST END OF CIVIC PLAZA AS THE “KEN SANCHEZ PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY” IN HONOR OF THE LATE CITY COUNCILOR KEN SANCHEZ FOR HIS DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO OUR GREAT CITY AS AN ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCILOR, BERNALILLO COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND COMMUNITY LEADER.
WHEREAS, Ken Sanchez was born and raised in the City of Albuquerque and was honored to serve his community as a Bernalillo County Commissioner from 1995 to 2002 and as Albuquerque’s District 1 City Councilor from 2005 to 2020. He also served as Council President three times and as Vice President once, as well as serving on many other boards. Councilor Ken Sanchez was dedicated to his community as a true statesman who embodied true and honest public service; and
WHEREAS, Civic Plaza was built in 1974 to host outdoor events in the heart of Albuquerque and is the largest public space in the center of downtown, with a sizable performance stage set to entertain up to 20,000 people; and
WHEREAS, City Councilor Ken Sanchez sponsored the first Angel Tree Lighting celebration with the Guardians of the Children in 2016 and continued to sponsor this important event until his passing in 2020. This celebration honors the lives of our community’s youth that have been lost to violence and abuse by adding an ornament to a Christmas tree with each of their names; and
WHEREAS, The Angel Tree Lighting celebrated its 7th annual event in December 2022 on Civic Plaza at the existing auxiliary stage and it will continue to be celebrated with the hopes that we no longer have to add any more names of our youth to the tree; and
WHEREAS, Councilor Ken Sanchez believed in our youth and what their role is in our community, and how they will take on future roles as elected officials, teachers, parents, and others while contributing to our great city. The City Council, with the support of Mayor Tim Keller, desires to recognize Ken Sanchez for his tireless dedication and work for the citizens of Albuquerque.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
Section 1: The pillar adjacent to the auxiliary stage on the west side of Civic Plaza shall be named the “Ken Sanchez Pillar of the Community” in honor of his distinguished public service and dedication to the City of Albuquerque, and the State of New Mexico.
Section 2: A plaque will be purchased and paid for by the Albuquerque City Council to be placed on the pillar next to auxiliary stage identifying it as the “Ken Sanchez Pillar of the Community”.
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