TOM BENAVIDES (R)
FOR
U.S. SENATE
FROM
NEW MEXICO, USA

About

Tomas Rey Benavides was born in 1939 on the Feast of the Three Kings, in Socorro, NM. His family moved to Albuquerque where he attended Albuquerque Public Schools. He graduated from St. Joseph College in Albuquerque with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

He has always been active in civil activities, entering politics at the ward level when he was 21 and first able to vote. He became a State Senator at age 25 and served four years, from 1966 to 1970 representing District 14. He was reelected in 1984 in District 11and served until 1996.

While serving in the State Senate, Tom was known by some as The Rogue of the Senate, someone who would get a job done despite the obstacles. In fact, he does not believe in problems, rather only obstacles to overcome. He has always championed the rights and dignity of his constituents.

Tom's endeavors to create educational and cultural ties to other Hispanic countries earned him the Cross of Alfonso X (The Learned) from the King of Spain. He is now the Honorary Consul of Spain in New Mexico.

Tom was the driving force behind the program for the exchange of teachers between Mexico and New Mexico. He was the main sponsor for the Spanish Colonial Center and the Spanish Resource Center, along taking the task of securing funding for ISTEC at UNM.

He was the main sponsor of funding for the Quincentenary celebration in 1992. Tom Also secured funding for Zarzuela and Cristol Bufons, along with Cosponsoring the De Vargas Project.

Background

Education

1959-1962, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

• Bachelor of Science of Business Administration
• Major field: Accounting & Economics
• Minor Field: Political Science

Experience

1969-2000, Tom Benavides Realty, Albuquerque, NM
Owner/Broker

• Sale & Investment in Real Estate
• Operation & management of Business
• Managing Real Estate Investments

1969-1972, Mesa Uranium Corporation, Albuquerque, NM
President

• Exploration & Mining
• Management
• CEO

1966-1969, 7-11 Stores, Albuquerque, NM
Owner & Operator

• Management
• Daily Basis Operation
• Book-Keeping

1965-1966, Benavides Book-Keeping, Albuquerque, NM
Owner & Operator

• General Book-Keeping business
• Tax-Returns
• General office Duties

Interests

• De Vargas Project
  Co-Sponsor of legislation and appropriation for compilations of history of the Hispanic re-conquest of New Mexico, 1993
• International Relations
  • Tom Benavides is especially interested in projects in New Mexico and Spain.
  • He arranged for the donation, capture and transportation of five New Mexican Buffalo to Spain, 1993
  • Arranged for he three visitations of Duke Cristobol Colon XX to New Mexico to celebrate the discovery of the Americas, 1991, 92 and 93. On the first visit, he arranged the meeting of each of the 19 Native American Pueblo Governors to meet with Duke Cristobal Colon for the presentation of the Cains of Sovereignty.
• Primary sponsor for the NM legislative appropriation for the Quinta Centenia for the formation of the commission to celebrate the 500 years since Christopher Columbus discovered the New World including New Mexico's Heritage.
• Primary sponsor for the Legislative Funding of the Spanish Resource Center, 1993
• Primary sponsor for the legislative funding of Istec, 1993
• Primary sponsor for the legislation and appropriation for the Spanish Colonial Center, 1993

Other Interests

• Amateur Historian: Spanish American.
• Published Article, "Witch craft trials stirred Emotions" (concerning Juan Gonzales Bas II, Mayor of Albuquerque, 1773), January 1992
• Amateur Genealogist: Tom Benavides has traced both sides of his families genealogy, the Benvides family to 1125 and the Pino family to 1747
• Horticulturist: Tom Benavides enjoys collecting trees and plants from all over the country and abroad.

License & Other Training

• Licensed Real Estate Broker
• Investment
• Entrepreneur
• Exploration & Mining, Investment and Land Management and Consulting

Civic Activities

• 1966-1970 New Mexico State Senator.
• 1990 Candidate for United States of America Senate
• 1986 Candidate for Governor of New Mexico
• 1972 Kormadex Uranium Corporation

Consulting

• Westland Development Corporation, 1989-present
• Data General, 1997
• Boakum Uranium Corporation 1979
• Kerr Gegee Corporation 1974

Lobbyist

• Westland Development Corporation 1997-present
• Johnson Controls Inc. 1997
• Hydro-Resources Inc. 1997
• Duke City Lumber
• Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.

Accomplishments

Honors And Awards

• Who's Who American Universities & Colleges 1961-1962
• Who's Who in the West 1969
• Hispanic Who's Who in the U.S. 1983
• Cross of Alfonso X (The Learned) by the Kind of Spain 1993
• Appointed Honorary Consul of Spain for NM 1997
• Secretary American GI Forum (National Hispanic Organization)
• Board Of Directors, Model Cities, Bernalillo County, NM
• Justice of peace at the age of 21 years, Precinct 1, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
• Senator of New Mexico 1966-1970/1984-1997

State of New Mexico Legislative Committees

Standing Committees

• Public Affairs committee, Member
• Education Committee, Member
• Corporation Committee, member
• Finance Committee, Member
• Conservation Committee, Vice Chairman and Chairman

Interim Committees

• Border Oversight Committee, Co-Chairman
• Human Services Committee, Vice Chairman
• Legislative Finance Committee, Member

Subcommittees

• Audit, Vice-Chairman
• Sunset, Vice-Chairman

 

Goals

Personal Representation

Provide prompt personal attention to each concern or suggestion of New Mexicans. Senator Benavides can be contacted by telephone at (505) 877-4720 or 261-2795. Your suggestions and concerns will promptly have the attention of Senator Benavides for discussion and/or action.

Property Taxes

Property taxes should be assessed on the value of the property when it was purchased. As long as the purchasing individual owns the home, taxes should remain the same. Only reappraised when the home changes ownership.

Prisons

Seek the advice of Sheriff Joe Arpaio (AZ) and other prison experts to form a committee to make recommendations on solutions for operations of prisons and work efforts of benefit for all all US citizens. Develop work projects with pay for prisoners.

Border Fence

Senator Benavides would work diligently to have prisoners work (and pay) to complete the border fences.

Taxes

A Nationwide consumption (sales) tax be established to replace the present tax system. This would eliminate the out-dated IRS.

Increase Projects at Los Alamos and Sandia Labs

Seek additional projects for Sandia Labs and Los Alamos Labs in addition to present contracts to increase employment opportunities for additional workers.

English Language

All business must be conducted in English. All applicants for US Citizenship must speak English as required by the Constitution.

Second Amendment

Support enforcement of original interpretation of second amendment.

Support for veterans

A male and female disabled veteran will be hired at each of Senator Benavides offices to assist with veterans problems.

Contribute

We need your contributions!
Download the contribution form, print it and send it to:

Friends of Tom Benavides
2515 Harris Rd. SW
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87105

Thank you for your contributions!

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