[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12180-S12181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 148--DESIGNATING 1998 AS THE ``ONATE
CUARTOCENTENARIO''
Mr. DOMENICI (for himself and Mr. Bingaman) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 148
Whereas Don Juan de Onate of Spain settled the first
permanent colony of Europeans in the Southwest Region of the
United States, known as San Gabriel de Los Espanoles, and
located near modern day San Juan Pueblo and Espanola, New
Mexico;
Whereas the first Spanish capital was established at San
Juan de los Caballeros in July of 1598, predating the English
settlement of Jamestown in 1610 by 12 years;
Whereas Spanish exploration activity in the New World began
in 1512 when Ponce de Leon explored the Florida peninsula,
and included the explorations of Francisco Coronado
throughout California to Kansas and across Arizona, New
Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma from 1540 to 1542;
Whereas the major Spanish settlement efforts were focused
in modern day Florida and New Mexico, and 1998 marks the
400th anniversary of the first permanent settlement in New
Mexico, referred to as the Cuartocentenario;
Whereas Hispanic Americans are the fastest growing minority
group in the United States and include descendants of the
Spanish, Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Central American, and
other Hispanic peoples;
Whereas the United States Census Bureau estimated in March
1993 that the Hispanic population of the United States was
22,800,000; the current estimate of the hispanic population
in the United States is 26,000,000, with projections of
30,000,000 by the year 2000, 40,000,000 by 2010, and almost
60,000,000 (or 20 percent of the total United States
population) by the year 2030;
Whereas the number of Hispanic immigrants to the United
States has increased from 1,500,000 in the 1960's, to
2,400,000 in the 1970's, to 4,500,000 in the 1980's, and the
number of Hispanic immigrants is expected to continue to
rise;
Whereas two-thirds of all Hispanics in the United States
today are of Mexican origin, and 70 percent of United States
Hispanics live in 4 States: California, Texas, New York, and
Florida;
Whereas New Mexico's Hispanic population is 39 percent (or
over 660,000 of the 1995 total State population of 1,700,000)
and represents the highest percentage of Hispanics in any
State in the United States;
Whereas the United States has an enriched legacy of
Hispanic influence in politics, government, business, and
culture due to the early settlements and continuous influx of
Hispanics into the United States;
Whereas the New Mexico State Government has funded a
Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with
assistance from the Federal Government, local governments,
and private contributions, to celebrate and preserve Hispanic
culture including literature, performing arts, visual arts,
music, culinary arts, and language arts;
Whereas the Archbishop of Santa Fe, Michael Sheehan, is
planning events throughout 1998 in New Mexico, including the
opening of ``Jubilee year'', an encuentro at Santo Domingo
Pueblo to mark the meeting of the missionaries with the
Pueblo peoples, an
[[Page S12181]]
Archdiocesan reconciliation service at the Santuario de
Chimayo, and an Archdiocesan celebration of St. Francis of
Assisi in Santa Fe;
Whereas in order to commemorate Don Juan de Onate's
arrival, the city of Espanola will have a fiesta in July
1998, the city of Santa Fe is planning several special
events, and the New Mexico statewide committee is planning a
parade, a historical costume ball, and a pageant in
Albuquerque; and
Whereas many other religious, educational, and social
events are being planned around New Mexico to commemorate the
400th anniversary of the first permanent Spanish settlement
in New Mexico: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the year 1998 as the ``Onate
Cuartocentenario'' to commemorate the 400th anniversary of
the first permanent Spanish settlement in New Mexico;
(2) recognizes the cultural and economic importance of the
Spanish settlements throughout the Southwest Region of the
United States;
(3) expresses its support for the work of the Espanola
Plaza Foundation, the Santa Fe and Albuquerque
Cuartocentenario committees, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, the
New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center Board of Directors, the
Hispanic Cultural Foundation Board of Trustees, as well as
other interested groups that are preparing Onate
Cuartocentenario activities;
(4) expresses its support for the events to be held in New
Mexico and the Southwest in observance of the Onate
Cuartocentenario;
(5) requests that the President issue a proclamation--
(A) declaring 1998 as the ``Onate Cuartocentenario'' to
commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first permanent
Spanish settlement in New Mexico; and
(B) calling on the people of the United States and
interested groups to observe the year with appropriate
ceremonies, activities, and programs to honor and celebrate
the contributions of Hispanic people to the cultural and
economic life of the United States; and
(6) calls upon the people of the United States to support,
promote, and participate in the many Onate Cuartocentenario
activities being planned to commemorate the historic event of
the early settling of the Southwest Region of the United
States by the Spanish.
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, next year, 1998, is the 400th
anniversary of Don Juan de Onate's establishment of the first Hispanic
colony in New Mexico. In July 1589, he and a few Spanish families
settled near modern day San Juan Pueblo and the city of Espanola in
northern New Mexico.
New Mexico will be the center of many exciting events throughout the
year to commemorate this extremely important historic milestone. Four
hundred years ago Western civilization found itself ensconced in
northern New Mexico, and since that time to the present it has been
there and part of the culture and part of the value system in the State
of New Mexico.
New Mexico will be the center of many exciting events throughout the
year to commemorate this important historic milestone. New Mexicans are
looking forward to fiestas, balls, parades, and other stimulating
events to mark this historic occasion.
The Archbishop of Santa Fe will be opening a Jubilee year in January.
Among other events, he will hold an encuentro at Santo Domingo Pueblo
to mark the meeting of the missionaries with the Pueblo Peoples.
The city of Espanola will have a fiesta in July to commemorate the
actual arrival of the Spanish into the area. Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Taos,
Albuquerque, and other New Mexico towns and cities will be holding such
special events as fiestas, historic reenactments, a State Fair Pageant,
an historic Spanish costume ball, and parades. Seminars and lectures
will abound.
State Fair pageant plans include a reenactment of De Vargas' reentry
into New Mexico, a review of the Pueblo Revolt and its ramifications,
life under the American flag during the middle to late 1800's, and a
patriotic tribute to all Hispanics who have fought for the United
States. This two and a half-hour spectacular will be performed twice
before a large audience. It will also be televised.
This resolution also asks the President to issue a proclamation
declaring 1998 is a year to commemorate the arrival of Hispanics and
celebrate their growth in importance in our Nation's culture and
economy. An estimated 26 million Hispanics in the United States today
make up about 11 percent of our population. In New Mexico, Hispanics
make up 39 percent of the population, the largest percentage of any
State.
Some projections indicate that by the year 2010, Hispanics will
number about 40 million, and by the year 2030, an estimated 60 million
Hispanics will be living in the United States, making up about one-
fifth of the total population.
As Hispanic culture continues to grow as a major influence in the
United States, the State of New Mexico is creating a major Hispanic
Cultural Center in Albuquerque to celebrate and preserve Hispanic arts,
literature, performing arts, music, visual arts, culinary arts and
other cultural treasures. We are hoping that this Hispanic Cultural
Center will become a successful economic venture to attract tourism and
to bring national and international attention to Hispanic life in the
American Southwest.
The Cuartocentenario, know in English as the 400th Anniversary, is a
time for America to take note of the profound influence of Hispanics in
the founding of America as a New World as well as the participation of
Hispanics in all walks of life. Hispanics have been noteworthy
contributors and will continue to be significant contributors to our
national politics, science, arts, economy, and cultural life.
Mr. President, 1998 is a major milestone for the Spanish settlement
in the Southwestern United States. I urge my colleagues to join me in
commemorating this important anniversary by supporting this resolution
and participating in Hispanic events to mark this important year.
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