State residents are not lazy, Lujan says
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan today praised the work ethic of New Mexicans,
and in doing so he seemed to take a jab at fellow Congressman Steve
Pearce.
Speaking to the state Legislature, Lujan said: “Despite what some have suggested, New Mexicans are not takers. New Mexicans are not lazy or selfish. New Mexicans are hard-working and generous, proud and tough. We are giving in spirit, diligent in work ethic, and committed to our families and our communities."
When Republican Pearce spoke to the Legislature earlier this month, he said good jobs in southern New Mexico were going unfilled because potential workers could not pass drug tests or did not want to get off government assistance.
Pearce, of Hobbs, even said he began organizing job fairs in his district to help demonstrate that work was available for those who want it.
As Lujan continued his speech, he stuck with his theme that people want to work and to have the dignity that comes with it.
“I have the great honor of traveling our great state, getting to know more people and hearing their stories. And it could not be more clear to me, the people that I have met and learned from in my travels around the state do not want something for nothing and do not expect to be given a handout.
"They want to work, to have a sense of purpose, to be able to provide for their families with respect and dignity. But too often of late, those opportunities have been fading away."
Lujan, of Santa Fe, said other states in the region are gaining jobs, but New Mexico is losing them.
To help reverse that, Lujan said, he had contacted Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's administration to seek her voice in describing to the country how important New Mexico's laboratories are.
“We all have a role to play in this effort," Lujan said. "At the federal level, the delegation will continue our work. We need your voice in the fight as well.
"That is why in the spirit of
bipartisanship I have reached out to Governor Martinez, through her
administration, to change the national conversation and communicate to
her colleagues — not only fellow governors but those in Washington — how
important our labs are to the vitality of science and research in our
country and the competiveness of the United States.
“I am hopeful we can all work together, unified in our desire to stand up for New Mexico."
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