[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 28 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHED BASKETWEAVER, MRS. SUE COLEMAN

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                            HON. JIM GIBBONS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2005

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of a truly remarkable woman, Sue Coleman. Mrs. Coleman 
is a member of the Washo nation on the Dresslerville Reservation in my 
home state of Nevada. Mrs. Coleman is nationally known as a master in 
the art of basket weaving. Her art is not only known in Nevada, but 
throughout the nation.
  Mrs. Coleman comes from a long line of distinguished basket weavers. 
She learned the art of weaving through her mother, Theresa Smokey 
Jackson. Together with her mother, Mrs. Coleman gathered willow, 
stripped, cleaned and made thread by splitting the willows in three 
sections with their teeth. With the wisdom and guidance of her mother, 
Mrs. Coleman has a very diverse portfolio of artistic designs. These 
include; cradleboards, round baskets, burden baskets, seed beaters and 
winnowing trays all of which are true weaves of the Washo tradition.
  Mrs. Coleman has received many prestigious awards for her art, and 
has won over forty first place ribbons for her baskets in many western 
art competitions. In 2002, she was awarded the prestigious Governor's 
Arts Award for Excellence in Folk Arts. She is also part of the 
committee that is organizing the Folklife Festival that will be held on 
the National Mall in 2006. In addition to her many other roles, Mrs. 
Coleman has the honor to be part of the committee for the Smithsonian 
Museum's ``Carriers of Culture: Contemporary Native Baskets''. One of 
her hand-crafted baskets is even part of the Smithsonian's permanent 
collection and will be included in a travel exhibit that will feature 
the finest baskets made by Native Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, prior to the passing of her mother, Mrs. Coleman 
promised that she would continue the tradition that they enjoyed 
together and pass weaving along to future generations, so that this 
wonderful art will never be forgotten. It is clear that with her with 
passion and dedication to this rich cultural art that she will continue 
to honor her mother's wishes. I am proud to have this opportunity to 
acknowledge her work.

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