Flags at half-staff in honor of Ben Lujan

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Governor Susana Martinez issued an executive order Thursday for flags to be flown at half-staff across New Mexico in honor of New Mexico House of Representatives Speaker Ben Lujan.

Flags will be lowered from sunrise Saturday, December 22 until sundown on Saturday, December 29.

Lujan passed away Tuesday night after serving in the New Mexico House of Representatives for nearly 40 years.

He had held the position of Speaker since 2001. Speaker Lujan is survived by his wife, Carmen, his four children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2012-039

FLAGS FLOWN AT HALF STAFF IN HONOR AND MOURNING OF
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BEN LUJAN

WHEREAS, Speaker of the House, the Honorable Ben Lujan, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, December 18, 2012;

WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan was born on July 12, 1935, in Nambé, New Mexico.  Speaker Lujan attended St. Michael’s High School and was a graduate of Pojoaque High School.  After high school, Speaker Lujan attended the College of Santa Fe;

WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan retired in 1984  as an iron worker from Zia Company and was the owner of B&B Construction Corporation in Española;

WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan began his public service as a Santa Fe County Commissioner from 1971-74, serving as chairman for the last two years of his term.  In 1974, Speaker Lujan was elected to the State House of Representatives, District 46;

WHEREAS, during Speaker Lujan’s time in the state House of Representatives, he served as the longest consecutive House Majority Whip in New Mexico history from 1983-98, Majority Floor Leader from 1999-2000, and Speaker of the House of Representatives from January 2001 until his passing;

WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan was a member of many standing legislative committees, interim committees and national committees during his tenure in the House of Representatives, fighting for causes near and dear to New Mexicans from all walks of life;

WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan was greatly involved with his community by supporting and providing funding for local little league teams and the Boys and Girls Club while also remaining actively involved with the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Pojoaque;

WHEREAS, Speaker Lujan is survived by his wife, Carmen Lujan, his four children Shirley Lujan Ronquillo, Jacqueline Lujan Valdez, Jerome Lujan, and Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby order that all flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise on Saturday, December 22, 2012, to sundown on Saturday, December 29, 2012, the day Speaker Lujan will be laid to rest. The thoughts and prayers of the people of New Mexico go out to his family as well as a heartfelt thank you for his courageous service.

Signed at the executive office this 20th day of December 2012.

Witness my hand and the great seal of the state of New Mexico.