Henry Bonilla: “it is with heavy heart I submit the following statement. Chairman Joe Skeen, our former colleague form the State of New…”

“it is with heavy heart I submit the following statement. Chairman Joe Skeen, our former colleague form the State of New Mexico, passed away on Sunday evening due to complications from Parkinson's disease. Chairman Joseph ``Joe'' Richard Skeen was born in Roswell, Chaves County, NM, June 30, 1927, and graduated from O'Dea High School in Seattle, WA, in 1944. He went on to receive a B.S. from Texas A&M University in 1950. After fulfilling a commitment to the United States Navy and spending time in the United States Air Force Reserve, Joe turned his sights to public service and the causes of the rural residents of the State of New Mexico. Joe served his State as a member of the New Mexico State Senate, chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party, and as a delegate to both the New Mexico and National Republican conventions numerous times from 1962 to 1970. In 1980 Joe was elected to the 97th Congress as a write-in candidate, only the third in history. Chairman Skeen served longer than any other New Mexican in the House of Representatives, from 1981 to 2000. He was also the first New Mexican to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, and served with distinction as the chairman of both the Agriculture and Interior Subcommittees. A great family, a fine State, and a grateful Nation all lost a wonderful champion, colleague and friend on Sunday.”