STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today ordered all flags in the state of New Mexico to half-staff from Feb. 13 to Feb. 15 in honor of former state Rep. J. Paul Taylor, who passed away Sunday.  

Taylor was born in Chamberino in 1920 and served as a state representative from 1987 to 2005, during which he chaired the House Health and Human Services Committee. A strong advocate for arts and culture and bilingual education, he sponsored legislation that elevated the state Office of Cultural Affairs to a cabinet-level department. He was a teacher and administrator in the Las Cruces school system for 34 years.  

The governor issued the following statement:   

“You would be hard-pressed to find an individual as passionate about the people, culture and communities of New Mexico as J. Paul Taylor. For my own part, I consider him to be a friend and mentor who demonstrated the true heart of a servant, always striving to make New Mexico a better place to live for future generations. I have no doubt that the compassion and integrity he demonstrated throughout his 102 years of life will be felt for hundreds of years to come.

I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends – as well as the people of New Mexico –for the loss of such a legendary leader and advocate.”    

The executive order directing all flags in New Mexico to half-staff from Monday, Feb. 13 through sundown Wednesday, Feb. 15, can be found here.