[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 385 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 385

Honoring the life and legacy of award-winning children's author Beverly 
                                Cleary.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 12, 2021

 Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Schrader, 
 and Mr. Bentz) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                to the Committee on Oversight and Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Honoring the life and legacy of award-winning children's author Beverly 
                                Cleary.

Whereas Beverly Atlee Cleary was born Beverly Atlee Bunn to Chester Lloyd Bunn 
        and Mable Atlee Bunn on April 12, 1916, in McMinnville, Oregon;
Whereas Beverly Cleary grew up on her family's farm near Yamhill, Oregon, and 
        titled her 1988 memoir ``A Girl From Yamhill'';
Whereas Beverly Cleary moved north to Portland, Oregon, with her family when she 
        was 6 years old;
Whereas Beverly Cleary attended grade school in Portland and graduated from 
        Grant High School in 1934;
Whereas Beverly Cleary attended Chaffey College in Ontario, California, and then 
        graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor's 
        degree in English in 1938;
Whereas, in 1939, Beverly Cleary earned a master's degree in library science 
        from what was then the School of Librarianship at the University of 
        Washington;
Whereas, in 1940, Beverly Cleary eloped with Clarence Cleary, whom Beverly 
        Cleary met while studying at the University of California, Berkeley;
Whereas Beverly Cleary worked as a children's librarian in Yakima, Washington, 
        and later at an Army hospital in Oakland, California;
Whereas, in 1950, William Morrow published the first book by Beverly Cleary, 
        ``Henry Huggins'', which is about the adventures of a young boy who 
        lived on Klickitat Street in Northeast Portland, Oregon, and was the 
        first book in the Henry Huggins series;
Whereas, in 1955, William Morrow published the first book in the Ramona series, 
        ``Beezus and Ramona'', which is about 9-year-old Beatrice ``Beezus'' 
        Quimby and her 4-year-old sister, who, like Henry Huggins, also lived on 
        Klickitat Street in Northeast Portland, Oregon;
Whereas Beverly Cleary's books earned praise for engaging young readers and 
        capturing the world as children saw and understood it;
Whereas Beverly Cleary wrote more than 40 children's books, which sold more than 
        85,000,000 copies by enchanting readers of all ages with the adventures 
        of Ramona, Henry, and many other memorable characters;
Whereas Beverly Cleary's books continue to resonate with audiences across the 
        United States, sparking the imagination of countless children and 
        instilling a lifelong love of reading;
Whereas Beverly Cleary won numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, 
        including--

    (1) the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 1975 for substantial 
contributions to children's literature;

    (2) a Newbery Honor in 1978 for ``Ramona and Her Father'';

    (3) a National Book Award in 1981 for ``Ramona and Her Mother'';

    (4) a Newbery Honor in 1982 for ``Ramona Quimby, Age 8'';

    (5) a Newbery Medal in 1984 for ``Dear Mr. Henshaw'';

    (6) the Library of Congress ``Living Legend'' award in 2000 for her 
creative contributions to American life; and

    (7) the National Medal of Arts in 2003, the highest award given to 
artists by the United States Government; and

Whereas Beverly Cleary died on March 25, 2021, at the age of 104, leaving behind 
        a legacy of relatable characters and skillful storytelling: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the life and legacy of award-winning children's 
        author Beverly Cleary, including--
                    (A) the lifelong commitment of Beverly Cleary to 
                brightening the lives of children; and
                    (B) the outstanding contributions of Beverly Cleary 
                to children's literature;
            (2) expresses its profound regret at the announcement of 
        the passing of beloved author Beverly Cleary;
            (3) extends its sympathy to the family of Beverly Cleary;
            (4) recognizes Beverly Cleary as one of the most 
        significant and successful authors of the 20th century; and
            (5) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
        transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of 
        Beverly Cleary.
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