[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2463-E2464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HISTORIC ENCOUNTER BETWEEN SAN JUAN PUEBLO AND SPAIN

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, on October 31, 1999, the 
headline of the Sunday Journal North edition of the Albuquerque Journal 
read: ``Pueblos, Spain Forging Ties.'' That headline and the 
accompanying article recognized ground-breaking events whose importance 
extends beyond the Third Congressional District of New Mexico. Events 
that are living proof that centuries-old wounds to the dignity of our 
Native American communities, particularly our New Mexico Indian 
Pueblos, can be healed through good will on the parts of the leaders of 
those Pueblos and the government involved. In this case, that 
government is the government of Spain.
  Students of American history know that four and a half centuries ago 
our American Southwest was explored by the government of Spain, which 
eventually led to Spanish settlement there four centuries ago. Those 
1598 Spanish colonists led by Don Juan de Onate did not find themselves 
alone: they settled in the midst of Indian Pueblos that had been 
thriving, vital established communities since time immemorial.
  The relationship between the Spanish settlers and the original Pueblo 
Indian inhabitants were filled with conflict and occasional violence. 
Through it all, the Pueblo Indian communities, including the Pueblo of 
San Juan where Juan de Onate established the first Spanish capitol of 
New Mexico, struggled endured and held on to their culture, their 
traditions and even their internal government.
  On April 3, 1998, acting on behalf of the 19 Indian Pueblos that 
comprise the All Indian Pueblo Council of New Mexico, San Juan Pueblo 
Governor Earl N. Salazar became the first tribal official in the 
history of New Mexico and the United States to invite an official 
representative of the Government of Spain, its Vice President Francisco 
Alvarez-Cascos, to visit San Juan Pueblo in commemoration of the four-
hundredth anniversary of the permanent meeting of the two cultures. 
That invitation was made because in the view of the San Juan Tribal 
Council after four hundred years, reconciliation and healing were 
important. In the words of one San Juan Pueblo spiritual leader, ``It 
was not right to teach our children to hate.'' What an incredible and 
brave statement that was!
  As a result of Governor Salazar's invitation, on April 26, 1998, the 
Governors of New Mexico's 19 Pueblos, led by this remarkable young man, 
Governor Salazar, met with Vice President Alvarez-Cascos and Antonio 
Oyarzabal, Spanish Ambassador to the United States. The meeting was 
also attended by many of New Mexico's state and local government 
dignitaries. At that meeting, Governor Salazar reflected: ``Today is a 
historical day for all of us because for the first time since that 
contact at Oke Oweingeh four hundred years ago, we, the descendants of 
our respective peoples and nations, are meeting to reflect upon the 
past and present, and together chart a new course of the relationship 
of our children and their future.'' Speaking for the Spanish 
delegation, Vice President Alvarez-Cascos stated ``It is in the future 
history, the one we need and want to write together, that we will find 
reconciliation, fruit of a new will for two cultures who have learned 
to overcome the pain and suffering of the past, two people who want to 
know each other better, who want to build a new friendship.''
  Subsequently, Governor Salazar, his wife Rebecca, Governor Gary 
Johnson of New Mexico and First Lady Dee Johnson were extended an 
official invitation to visit Spain. The objective of the visit was to 
build on the foundation established during the April 26, 1998 meeting 
hosted by Governor Salazar and the nineteen New Mexican Indian Pueblos. 
The official visit to Spain, which became known as ``Re-encuentro de 
Tres Culturas'' or the ``Re-encounter of Three Cultures''--referring to 
the Indian, Spanish and American cultures--took place on November 18 
through 23, 1998. The United States Ambassador to Spain, Ed Romero, a 
descendant of those first Spanish colonists in New Mexico, also took 
part in the meetings and events. At the official reception, Governor 
Salazar, whose mother Maria Ana Salazar is full blooded San Juan Tewa 
Indian and whose father is State Representative Nick L. Salazar, a 
Hispanic elected official in New Mexico, delivered a blessing in Tewa. 
The essence of that blessing was ``Now it is time for all of us to sit 
down and establish a framework for how we will work with each other to 
establish an enduring relationship based on honor, trust, mutual 
respect, love and compassion.''
  During the Re-encuentro de Tres Culturas, the Prince of the Asturias, 
His Royal Majesty, Felipe Bourbon, made a special visit to meet 
Governor Salazar, Governor Johnson and the rest of the New Mexico 
delegation which included State Representative Nick L. Salazar, 
Espanola Mayor Richard Lucero and Rio Arriba County Commissioner 
Alfredo Montoya. The King, along with other high-ranking Spanish 
Officials, witnessed the performance of the Sacred Buffalo Dance 
performed my Pueblo Indian members of the delegation from New Mexico. 
In appreciation for his courageous leadership, His Majesty presented 
Governor Salazar with a medal making him a member of the Order of 
Isabel De la Catolica, grade of encomienda. The medal is awarded to 
individuals whose ``Pure Loyalty'' by deeds and actions have helped to 
foster better relations between Spain and America. Governor Salazar is 
the first Indian Governor upon who this honor has bestowed.
  As noted in the October 31, 1999 Albuquerque Journal article, the 
courage of Governor Salazar and the rest of the New Mexico's Pueblo 
Indian leaders is beginning to

[[Page E2464]]

bear fruit beyond the reconciliation of these traditional peoples of 
the United States and Spain. The New Mexican Pueblos and Spanish 
government representatives have now entered into an agreement creating 
an exchange program for teachers and students. The agreement, in the 
form of a Memorandum of Understanding, was signed by the Indian Pueblo 
governors, the Spanish Ministry of Culture, Spanish Vice President 
Alvarez-Cascos, the New Mexico Office of Indian Affairs and the Santa 
Fe Indian School. As Governor Salazar indicated, Pueblo Indian history 
is tied to Spain. As a consequence, the Pueblos ``decided to renew * * 
* and develop a relationship that has long-term interests for both 
sides.'' He also noted that the Memorandum of Understanding is a first 
step toward forming more agreements with Spain in the future, such as 
trade and commerce pacts.
  Governor Salazar's efforts deserve recognition because they have now 
become an important part of the history of New Mexico and our country. 
And because they demonstrate that, as Elizabeth Kubler-Ross once said, 
``there is nothing that cannot be healed.'' All it takes is people with 
courage and a commitment to justice and reconciliation. Governor 
Salazar never planned for all of this to happen. He simply followed the 
path of his spirit in an effort to work for the people of his Indian 
Pueblo and for his Hispanic citizens in the surrounding Espanola 
Valley. As someone else has said, ``there is no holier place than that 
where an ancient hatred has yielded to forgiveness.'' For creating such 
a place in the heart of our American Southwest, he deserves our thanks 
and deepest appreciation.

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