SANTA FE - Governor Susana Martinez has ordered flags flown at half staff in remembrance of former New Mexico Representative Thomas Foy, who passed away last week at the age of 96. Foy, who was born in Silver City in 1914, honorably served in the New Mexico National Guard during World War II and survived the infamous Bataan Death March after being captured as a prisoner of war in 1942. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Asian Pacific Ribbon, and the New Mexico Distinguished Service Medal. Foy served as New Mexico's Sixth Judicial District Attorney from 1949 to 1956 and represented Grant and Hidalgo counties in the New Mexico House of Representatives for 14 terms before retiring in 1998. Flags across New Mexico will fly at half staff in his honor from sunrise to sundown tomorrow, October 14.

“Tom Foy was a dedicated public servant in every sense of the word,” said Governor Martinez. “As a military hero, district attorney, and state representative, he lived his life with a commitment to helping others and making the world a better place. Mr. Foy's legacy of service to his state and his country will never be forgotten and should serve as an example for future generations of New Mexicans. Flags will fly at half staff in his honor as we keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Full text of the Governor's executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-078 FLAGS FLOWN AT HALF STAFF IN HONOR AND MOURNING OF REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS P. FOY SR.

WHEREAS, Representative Thomas P. Foy, Sr. a resident of Bayard, New Mexico passed away on October 8, 2011 at the age of ninety-six; and

WHEREAS, Thomas or Tom, as he was fondly known to family and friends, was born on October 19, 1914 in Silver City and grew up in Bayard, Santa Clara, Hurley and the Mining District area; and WHEREAS, Tom earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce in 1937 and his Juris Doctorate in 1939 from Notre Dame and in 2004 received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Western New Mexico University; and

WHEREAS, Tom proudly and honorably served his country joining the 200th Coast Artillery Battery of the New Mexico National Guard in 1940, he was also assigned to the Philippines in 1941, and was captured by the Japanese in April 1942; and

WHEREAS, Tom was a prisoner of war until 1945, survived the Bataan Death March, and was decorated with the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Asian Pacific Ribbon, and the New Mexico Distinguished Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Tom was a communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, the Bayard Lions Club, the Silver City Moose Lodge #1718, Veterans of Foreign Wars #3347, and a life member of the Silver City Elks Lodge; and

WHEREAS, Tom opened his law practice in Bayard in 1946, was elected and served as the Sixth Judicial District Attorney from 1949 - 1956, was a member of the New Mexico Bar for seventy years, and served as a board member and vice-president of the New Mexico Bar Commission; and

WHEREAS, in 1970 Tom was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives from District 39, Grant and Hidalgo counties, serving fourteen terms until 1998 and was the chair of the Enrolling and Engrossing Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Corporations and Banks Committee, the Equal Rights Committee, and the Criminal Justice Committee; and

WHEREAS, Representative Foy was the sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment and funded capital outlay projects including a veterans' nursing center, a veterans' housing unit, and the Bataan Veterans Park; and

WHEREAS, former Speaker of the House, Raymond Sanchez, recalls Representative Foy as a "beloved and respected” member in the New Mexico House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Representative Foy was the founder of the Grant County State Bank to give people loans and capital to purchase homes, cars, and businesses; and

WHEREAS, Representative Foy was named "Citizen of the Year" in 1965 by the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Representative Foy was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife, Joan Carney; his son, Tom Foy, his sister, Rosemary Stewart, and other relatives; and

WHEREAS, Representative Foy is survived by his children, Celia Foy Castillo, Muffet Foy Duddy, Carney Foy, and Jim Foy; and

WHEREAS, Representative Foy is also survived by his grandchildren, Celita, Felisa, Loren, Erin, Reese, Carston, Caytlyn, Valerie, and John; two great-grandchildren, Eleanor, and Jonathan; and

WHEREAS, Representative Foy is further survived by his sister, Winifred Momsen; his brother, J. Franey Foy, and many other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, Representative Foy leaves the philosophy he lived by to his children, grandchildren, and future generations of family:

"Get a good education, work hard, have a good moral compass to guide you, and serve your fellow man. Accept responsibility for the good that you do as well as the mistakes that you make. Enjoy life."

WHEREAS, Representative Foy will be greatly missed by his loving family, friends, and all who knew and loved him;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby order that all flags be flown at half-staff on Friday, October 14, 2011, in honor and mourning of Representative Thomas P. Foy Sr. The thoughts and prayers of the people of New Mexico go out to his family as well as a heartfelt thank you for his courageous service.

SIGNED AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS 13TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2011.

WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR


ATTEST:

DIANNA J. DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE