The establishment of the US-side of the US-Mexico Border Health Commission,
and of this NM Commission Outreach Office, is the culmination of more than
a decade of effort on the part of many individuals and organizations.  I
see Dr. Alfonso Ruiz, Director of the PAHO Field Office in El Paso, joined
by Dr. Mendoza here--both are to be congratulated for their efforts and
those of the PAHO Field Office and the US-Mexico Border Health Association.  

I'm particularly proud to say that New Mexico has been a leader in this
movement to bring more national attention to our shared border.  Not only
did NMSU and the District III of the NM Department of Health's Public
Health Division host New Mexico's first and second border health
conferences here in 1991 and 1994, but New Mexico established the first of
the state-level Border Health Offices with funding from the NM Legislature
in 1993.  The creation of the Border Epidemiology and Environmental Health
Center or BEC in July of 1998 was another milestone.  These facilities will
be shared with the administrative offices of the BEC.  NMSU and the NM
Department of Health have developed a wonderfully effective and efficient
"non-interference" yet supportive and mutually beneficial collaboration
model.  The availability of faculty expertise from the MPH, MSN, and MSW
degree programs and the field experience opportunities such offices afford
our graduate and undergraduate students have been outstanding.  Access to
the latest network and internet capabilities has also been important in
planning "state-of-the-art" border-wide communications.  NMSU's offer of
these facilities with the main reception/secretarial area, five offices,
and a conference room are also indicative of the university's support.   I
would also like to thank Dr. Gary Cunningham and the high level of support
we have received from the office of the VP for Research (who also hosted
the refreshments for this reception).  I am convinced that collaborations
such as this between NMSU and the NM Border Health Office will prove to be
vital elements supporting the success of this new Commission.  Thank you.