[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 45 (Monday, April 22, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DR. RUDOLFO ANAYA'S NATIONAL MEDAL OF ARTS AWARD

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I speak briefly today to recognize one 
of my State's greatest citizens--an extraordinary author whose 
contributions to the arts have made him known as the father of modern 
Chicano literature. Today Dr. Rudolfo Anaya will be 1 of 14 
distinguished artists to receive this year's National Medal of Arts.
  Dr. Anaya is a legend in New Mexico and throughout the Nation for 
writings that reflect the cultural crossings unique to the Southwest. 
Born in the small town of Pastura, NM, he grew up in a Spanish-speaking 
home rich with tradition. His family moved to Albuquerque when he was 
15, where he attended high school.
  His first novel, ``Bless Me, Ultima,'' was published in 1972 and won 
him the prestigious Premio Quinto Sol national award for Chicagno 
literature. This widely-acclaimed novel brought many Hispanic 
traditions into the limelight, creating a colorful narrative spiced 
with Spanish vocabulary. ``Bless Me. Ultima'' continues to be a best-
selling Chicano work, and is used in classrooms throughout the world as 
a standard text for Chicano studies and literature courses.
  Dr. Anaya's work combines history and tradition with the 
supernatural. Old Spain and New Spain, Mexico, and Mesoamerica, all 
come together in a style that Newsweek has referred to as ``the new 
American writing.'' his second novel, ``Heart of Aztlan,'' explores a 
Mexican-American family's struggle with discrimination and poverty and 
its determination to preserve a proud sense of cultural identity. Such 
themes recognize a harsh reality, while also presenting the richness of 
Hispanic and Native American traditions and ceremonies that are so 
fundamental to New Mexican culture.
  Other works by Dr. Anaya include ``Zia Summer,'' ``Rio Grande Fall,'' 
``Jalanta,'' ``Torguga,'' ``Anaya Reader'', ``Albuquerque,'' and his 
most recent mystery novel, ``Shaman Winter.'' He has also written 
numerous short stories, essays, and children's books, including 
``Farolitos for Abuelo'' and ``The Farolitos of Christmas.'' Other 
distinguished awards include the PEN Center West Award for Fiction, the 
Before Columbus American Book Award, and the Excellence in the 
Humanities Award.
  Dr. Anaya is a professor emeritus of English at the University of New 
Mexico, where he began teaching in the summer of 1974. That same year 
he served on the board of Coordinating Council of Literary Magazines. 
Both Dr. Anaya's teaching and his work build an interest and pride in 
New Mexican history. His unique story-telling abilities stem from the 
oral tradition he experienced growing up, and his desire to pass these 
stories down to children make him an author, a story-teller, an 
educator, and a role model.
  As our Nation continues to explore ways to better educate our 
children and increase cultural awareness, we must look to role models 
like Dr. Anaya for guidance. His writings continue to inspire people of 
all ages, from all ethnic backgrounds. He has not only brought a rich 
tradition of story-telling and folklore to bookshelves all over the 
world, but he has also utilized his tremendous gift to portray the 
Hispanic experience. He inspires young writers to share their gifts, 
and he provides given millions of readers, including myself, incredible 
joy.
  The state of New Mexico is proud to be home to such an esteemed 
artist--one who has brought the Southwest to the forefront of American 
literature. I am truly honored to congratulate Dr. Anaya for all of his 
accomplishments for for the distinguished National Medal of Arts award 
that the President will present to him this afternoon in Constitution 
Hall. His hard work has earned him our utmost respect and admiration, I 
would like to thank him personally for his outstanding contributions to 
the arts in America.

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