Chamber group presents gift bags to state legislators

link The Tucumcari delegation receives recognition

Thursday from the New Mexico Legislature. From

left, City Commissioner Rick Haymaker, Russell

Braziel, Gail Houser (standing), Carole Keith, Kathy

McClelland, Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Ann Litchfield and

Gail Sanders

By Steve Hansen

QCS Managing Editor

When New Mexico legislators arrived for a prayer breakfast Thursday morning, each found on their workspace a cloth sack full of food items, useful things and souvenirs from Quay County businesses and organizations.

A delegation from the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce had placed them there Wednesday night, and on Thursday, state Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Logan, seated the Quay County delegation on the legislature’s speakers’ platform and introduced them to his law-making colleagues.

Tucumcari Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Ann Litchfield, who was one of the delegates, said she was honored to attend the prayer breakfast, and hear Gov. Susana Martinez speak to the gathering.

City Commissioner Rick Haymaker, who also attended, said he, too, was honored to go and pray for the city and the government.

Haymaker, who is a church pastor, called the event, “very spiritual.”

The event repeated a similar presentation to legislators last year, but more businesses and groups contributed to the packages, Patsy Gresham, the chamber’s executive director. Gresham was not able to attend this year’s event.

Roch said, “It is always a privilege to have friends from Tucumcari visit the State Capitol during the session.

The gifts, he said, “allowed us to highlight the many benefits of Tucumcari and Quay County, including Mesalands Community College with its nationally ranked rodeo team and the Route 66 Museum.

“Quite a few of my colleagues have commented to me how much they appreciated the Del's salsa and the delicious bread from Watson's BBQ,” Roch said, “and some are even displaying Jim Keith's framed rodeo print in their offices.”

Donors of merchandise to the gift bags included Kodiak Produce, Tucumcari Mountain Cheese Factory, Tucumcari Ranch Supply, Watson’s Barbecue, Del’s Restaurant, KQAY/KTNM Radio, Mesalands Community College, Jim Keith, Quay County Sun and Clovis Media, Roadrunner Lodge, Route 66 Musuem, SPC Office Products, the chamber, Box Insurance, Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corporation and Tucumcari MainStreet.