[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1406-E1407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               KATIE HENIO WINS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise today 
and recognize Katie Henio, a 73-year-old sheepherder and weaver from 
the Navajo Reservation, who is receiving a national community volunter 
award this week.
  Katie is receiving the Yoneo Ono award from the Rural Community 
Assistance Corporation for her work with the Ramah Navajo Weavers 
Cooperative, a grassroots group made up of over forty traditional 
weavers who live on the Ramah Navajo Reservation in the pinon pine 
country of west central New Mexico. Founded by seventeen women in 1984, 
the non-profit group is working toward two broad goals: to increase 
family self-reliance on indigenous resources, and to strengthen 
important and distinctive land-based traditions, values, and 
spirituality for future generations of Ramah Navajos.
  The Ramah Navajo weavers offer high quality traditionally handspun, 
hand-woven Navajo weavings. Colors are from natural wools or native 
plants found on or near the Ramah Navajo Reservation, giving a wide 
range of reds, blues, grays, yellows, tans, and browns. Each weaver 
raises her own sheep, creates her own designs--many of which have been 
passed on through generations by family members--spins her own yarns, 
hand-dyes the yarns using vegetal dyes from local plants, and weaves on 
the traditional Navajo upright loom.
  Katie has been the President of the association since 1985 and serves 
on the planning committee to develop Navajo language and culture 
curriculum at Pine Hill schools. Katie has also had a children's book 
written about her, ``Katie Henio, Navajo Sheepherder.'' That book has 
taught children around the country--far from the Navajo reservation--
about the ways of her people and celebrates their lifestyle.
  The Yoneo Ono award is given each year to a volunteer who has made a 
contribution to improving the quality of life in his or her community. 
It is named in honor of one of the founders of the Rural Community 
Assistance Corporation, a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the 
lives of rural citizens in 12 western states.
  In this day and age, one is hard pressed to find someone so selfless 
in caring for her community and fellow citizens. Katie epitomizes the 
values that all of us should strive for: leadership, commitment, 
dedication, compassion, and self sacrifice. Mother, grandmother, great-
grandmother and pillar of her community, Katie's devotion to those 
around her has rightfully earned her he respect and admiration of those 
she has served and will continue to serve.
  Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues are aware, I serve as the ranking 
member on the Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Enterprise, 
Agriculture and Technology. As someone who has dedicated himself to 
raising awareness of the unique challenges that face rural America, I 
believe that Katie Henio is an example of a volunteer in a rural 
community pulling people together and thriving. She has demonstrated 
that individuals working together make a difference. I wish to extend 
my best wishes and congratulations to Katie on a job well done, and 
encourage this wonderful organization to keep up the good work.

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