New Mexico delegation bringing special guests to the State of the Union speech

New Mexico’s congressional delegation won’t be the only New Mexicans in the U.S. House when President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address tonight.

Several members of the delegation are attending the speech with special guests. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., is attending with Tijeras Mayor Gloria Chavez, who who has lost two cousins, a brother and another family member to gun violence. Lujan Grisham’s decision to invite Chavez is part of a larger plan by the House Democratic caucus to attend the speech with people who hope to help raise awareness of gun violence and support for stricter gun laws.

Chavez is among more than 120 survivors and family members in Washington this week as part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns’ Demand A Plan campaign for gun law reforms they say would help prevent gun violence that kills 33 Americans every day. Survivors and family members are coming from 21 states and Washington, DC.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan has invited Donald Gallegos, district attorney of the 8^th Judicial District, which includes Taos, Colfax, and Union Counties.

“He’s been a strong proponent of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, public safety, and combating substance abuse in our communities,” Lujan spokesman Andrew Stoddard told me.

Sen. Martin Heinrich is bringing Zuni Pueblo Governor Arlen Quetawki – no word on the significance of that invitation, but here’s hoping Gov. Quetawki enjoys the evening.

Sen. Tom Udall will attend the speech with a guest who is very special in his life — his wife, Jill Udall Cooper.

Rep. Steve Pearce, the delegation’s only Republican, will not attend the State of the Union speech because he will be in Roswell for a rally in opposition of the Obama administration’s listing of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act. A public hearing on the issue will follow the rally this afternoon.

“The Obama Administration’s Fish and Wildlife Service scheduled the public hearing on the lesser prairie chicken for the same day as the President’s State of the Union address,” according to a news release from Pearce’s office. “Pearce has chosen to attend the public hearing, in order to stand with his constituents in defense of New Mexico’s jobs, communities, and education funding.”