State of Neto Mexico House of Representatifes Santa Fé JAMES G. TOWNSEND June 24, 2020 (COMMITTEES: REPUBLICAN FLOOR LEADER ory, Entonment& Naira Resources R= Chaves, ty & Otro Sods Dic Sa Printing & Sipps Rules & Order of Business (69 W. Compress Road ‘Axtesia, NM8S210 Home Phone, Call Phone: mall janes tounsendenmegs.gov The Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham. Governor, State of New Mexico State Capitol 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 Dear Governor: The family of Master Sgt. Joseph Wynne Velasquez, who recently passed away while serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning in North Carolina, has requested the assistance of your office in gaining the necessary government approval for his burial with full military honors at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, Master Sgt. Velasquez is a former resident of New Mexico and he served his country proudly during two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He leaves behind six children, a grandson and wife of 19 years. The family has stated in multiple articles that they have contacted your office several times in making this most reasonable request, yet your staff have continually declined to give them the necessary approval to hold the burial service that this brave man deserves. ‘Therefore, | am writing to request your personal involvement in this matter as | cannot believe you would ever refuse this hero's request to be buried alongside his fellow brothers in arms. | understand the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we conduct our daily lives and how we can no longer take for granted many group activities that have been associated with family gatherings. However, it seems to me this request by Master Sgt. Velasquez’s family is a worthy exception to the ongoing limitation of Public gatherings as his family understands the potential risks of a public burial service and wish to proceed. But, more important, this request is being made on behalf of a proud American who gave his life while serving with honor and distinction while protecting our God-given freedoms, Your immediate approval of Master Sgt. Velasquer's family request to hold a public burial service would allow this family to properly honor their loved one, as well as end their grief and sorrow. His six children, his grandson, and his wife have every right to lay to rest this special person in the manner they deem appropriate. Only you have the power to make their wishes come to pass. We all have witnessed almost daily the hundreds of people protesting across our state while disregarding social distancing and other public safety mandates. We watch people pack into grocery stores, big-box retailers, parks and other public places without wearing required face coverings. Yet,Page 2 why should this family be denied an opportunity to bury their father, grandfather, and husband in one of our nation’s sacred national cemeteries because they must obey rules that others disregard? | have ro idea how your office can allow such an inconsistency to continue not just for the Velasquez family, but forall military families. | implore you to grant the necessary approval for Master Sgt. Velasquez and his family, and for the thousands of other New Mexican men and women who have paid the ultimate price so that we can live in the greatest country on earth. Thank you for your immediate attention to this most urgent matter. | look forward to hearing from you very soon. Respectfully yours, s G. Townsend House Republican Leader District 54