Luján Holds Meetings with Local Leaders Across Northern New Mexico

Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) traveled across Northern and Northeastern New Mexico to hold meetings with local elected officials from rural and Tribal communities to discuss their legislative priorities and how federal investments are being put to work in their communities.

On Sunday, Senator Luján attended a Memorial Day weekend event in Questa where he delivered remarks and met with local veterans, including Valdemar DeHerrera, a 104-year-old WWII veteran and prisoner of war. DeHerrera, the Costilla native has seen Northern New Mexico ebb and flow over the course of a century and is one of the last surviving New Mexican veterans who fought in the Battle of Bataan during World War II.

Following this, he visited with retired First Sergeant Francis Cordova and local veterans to discuss the current progress of the Taos veteran cemetery construction project. Later, Senator Luján met with Taos Pueblo Governor Fred Romero and Taos Pueblo officials to listen to their priorities as they continue working on federally funded projects in the community.

On Tuesday, Senator Luján met separately with local leaders from the Village of Mosquero, Harding County, and the Village of Roy, to discuss affordable housing, water infrastructure, and public safety.  

“This week, I was proud to honor our veterans and servicemembers at Memorial Day weekend events and thank them for their service to our country. I also traveled across Northern and Northeastern New Mexico to hear directly from local leaders about challenges they face and opportunities where I can help,” said Luján. “I met with acequia leaders from Taos and Tribal leaders from Taos Pueblo, and also visited the with local veterans to discuss the ongoing construction at the veteran cemetery grounds in Taos.”

“It was also privilege to meet with elected leaders from the Village of Mosquero, Harding County, and the Village of Roy to discuss the needs of these rural communities. Our conversations focused on improving access to public housing, upgrading wastewater infrastructure and other community facilities, and improving public safety,” continued Luján. “I look forward to bringing these conversations back to Washington to ensure these rural communities have a seat at the table on the issues that matter most.”