The New Mexico state assemblyman from Roswell wants to have a state holiday to honor space aliens.

Extraterrestrial Culture Day would be held the second Thursday of February and would honor space travelers from other worlds and even give a nod to creatures made famous in movies, such as E.T. in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 blockbuster film.

In July of each year, thousands of earthly visitors descend on Roswell, the self- appointed alien capital of the world, where many UFO buffs believe an alien craft crash-landed in 1947, based on claims that alien bodies were discovered there.

The town’s population of 45,000 doubles and even triples during the week long festival that includes speakers on extraterrestrial life, UFOs and other anomalies such as crop circles.

Foley feels the same excitement — and economic benefit– can be spread to the rest of the state by adding a state-sanctioned day of alien celebration.

“If we can capitalize on something that did or did not happen in 1947 then it can help the entire state,” Foley said.

Way to put your state on the map, Assemblyman Foley…

Too bad we can’t get them interested in Roswell for something that we know happened there–it was the site of much of Robert Goddard’s pioneering work on rocketry.