Lawyers with stars in their eyes...
Wading through my inbox, checking out the NASA related stuff, I came across this. Given all the fuss they've been making over it, I really had to have a quiet snigger.
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http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07...se/HJM054.html
HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 54
48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
Joni Marie Gutierrez
A JOINT MEMORIAL
DECLARING PLUTO A PLANET AND DECLARING MARCH 13, 2007, "PLUTO PLANET
DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico is a global center for astronomy,
astrophysics and planetary science; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico is home to world class astronomical observing
facilities, such as the Apache Point observatory, the very large array,
the Magdalena Ridge observatory and the national solar observatory;
and
WHEREAS, Apache Point observatory, operated by New Mexico state
university, houses the astrophysical research consortium's
three-and-one-half meter telescope, as well as the unique
two-and-one-half meter diameter Sloan digital sky survey telescope;
and
WHEREAS, New Mexico state university has the state's only
independent, doctorate-granting astronomy department; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico state university and Dona Ana county were the
longtime home of Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto; and
WHEREAS, Pluto has been recognized as a planet for seventy-five
years; and
WHEREAS, Pluto's average orbit is three billion six hundred
ninety-five million nine hundred fifty thousand miles from the sun,
and its diameter is approximately one thousand four hundred twenty-one
miles; and
WHEREAS, Pluto has three moons known as Charon, Nix and Hydra;
and
WHEREAS, a spacecraft called new horizons was launched in January
2006 to explore Pluto in the year 2015;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
NEW MEXICO that, as Pluto passes overhead through New Mexico's
excellent night skies, it be declared a planet and that March 13, 2007 be
declared "Pluto Planet Day" at the legislature.
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What next? Another attempt to pass legislature to make Pi = 3.0?
