THIS SPEECH WAS DELIVERED TO THE NEW MEXICO CONFERENCE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND WAS CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEMS FACING SPANISH AMERICAN VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. IT WAS STATED THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL REASONS FOR THE DECLINE OF THE SPANISH AMERICAN FARM VILLAGE INVOLVE THE PROCESS OF ACCULTURATION AND SOCIOECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT IN A CHANGING WORLD. SPECIFICALLY, THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MIGRATING TO URBAN AREAS. UNEMPLOYMENT IS WIDESPREAD AND PER CAPITA INCOME IS LOW. MALNUTRITION IS PREVALENT, AND DEATH RATES FROM TUBERCULOSIS AND OTHER DISEASES ARE HIGH. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE INADEQUATE. THE USE OF NATURAL LAND AND WATER RESOURCES IS NOT EFFICIENT. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT INCLUDE A MORE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN IN RESEARCH AND PLANNING PROGRAMS, SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AGRICULTURAL AND ECONOMIC PROGRAMS, AND A NEED FOR INCREASED EMPATHY IN ALL PEOPLES. (JS)