[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 45 (Monday, April 22, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF RUDOLFO ANAYA

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the 
accomplishments of Chicano writer Rudolfo Anaya. Often considered ``the 
godfather of Chicano literature,'' Mr. Anaya writes of Hispanic culture 
and his experiences in the American Southwest, and especially of life 
in New Mexico.
  Born in the small village of Pastura, NM, Mr. Anaya is the fifth 
child of seven in a devout Catholic family. Growing up, Rudolfo's 
family spoke Spanish at home sharing stories about their culture and 
history. His upbringing in the American Southwest taught him to be 
proud of his Hispanic heritage which is often reflected in his writing. 
Rudolfo's technique of ``cuento'' stems from this important Hispanic 
tradition of oral storytelling.
  Mr. Anaya can be proud of his many accomplishments. It would be hard 
to find a Chicano studies or literature course that did not include one 
of Rudolfo's works, such as ``Bless Me, Ultima,'' which won the Premio 
Quinto Sol national award for Chicano literature. In addition, New 
Mexicans and readers around the world have enjoyed his novel 
``Albuquerque,'' his children's book, ``The Farolitos of Christmas,'' 
and his other essays and plays.
  In addition, Rudolfo has worked diligently to inspire and promote 
other Hispanic writers. He has encouraged publishers to recruit more 
Hispanic writers and share their stories with the American public. His 
efforts have also helped Hispanic children find an interest in reading, 
stimulating a new generation to become more involved in their history 
and improving their literacy skills.
  President Bush has chosen to honor Rudolfo Anaya's accomplishments by 
bestowing on him a National Medal of Arts for 2001. Originally created 
by Congress in 1984, the National Medal of Arts allows the President to 
select exceptional individuals for ``their outstanding contributions to 
the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the 
United States.'' Clearly, Rudolfo is one such individual deserving of 
recognition for his contributions not only to the arts but to Hispanic 
culture as well.
  Rudolfo is a living New Mexico treasure, giving voice to the heritage 
and culture of a proud people. Through his writings we get a chance to 
enter the heart of the Chicano and Hispanic culture that is part and 
parcel of who we are, as a whole, as New Mexicans. On behalf of the 
Senate, I want to thank this fellow New Mexican for the fine work he 
has done. I am proud of him and commend him on receiving a National 
Medal of Arts award.

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