[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              70TH ANNIVERSARY OF CORONADO STATE MONUMENT

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
70th anniversary of the creation of Coronado State Monument in my home 
state of New Mexico. At Coronado State Monument, visitors can learn 
about the Conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his 
interaction with the indigenous people of the Rio Grande Valley. This 
monument was created to commemorate Coronado's entry into New Mexico 
but stands today as a celebration of both Spanish Colonial and Native 
American history and culture.
  On March 7th, 1935, Commissioner of Public Lands, Frank Vesaly, 
signed the proclamation authorizing the creation of Coronado State 
Monument under the 1931 New Mexico Session Laws. Located at the ruins 
of ancient Kuaua Pueblo, this monument is situated on the banks of the 
Rio Grande adjacent the majestic Sandia Mountains, where Coronado and 
his troops are thought to have spent the winter of 1540. Inhabited at 
the time of Coronado's visit, Kuaua Pueblo was the intersection of two 
major pre-European trade routes. The immense archaeological value of 
the pueblo ruins is illustrated by the indigenous murals which are 
considered the best pre-contact art in North America.
  Few places today simultaneously pay homage to the Spanish Colonial 
and Native American heritage of New Mexico like Coronado State 
Monument. Visitors learn the history of two diverse groups that 
intertwined to form the unique blend of culture that exists in New 
Mexico today. The monument features programs that preserve the cultural 
and historical treasures of both the Spanish and indigenous way-of-life 
in New Mexico.
  Coronado's legacy in New Mexico prompted the creation of this 
monument. His travels documented the geography and ethnography of the 
Southwest and the ``March of Coronado'' is widely considered one of the 
most important North American expeditions in the sixteenth century. 
Coronado and the other Spanish conquistadors brought mining and forging 
technology to the indigenous population of New Mexico along with 
cattle, sheep and horses. Descendents of these legendary Spanish horses 
still run wild in the foothills nearby.
  Mr. Speaker, Coronado Monument is open to the public throughout the 
year. A small museum houses both Spanish and indigenous artifacts where 
visitors can try on conquistador armor, grind corn on a slab, and beat 
on a drum. The past comes alive on the 15 excavated mural panels that 
represent pueblo life around the time of Coronado. A self-guided 
interpretive trail winds through the pueblo ruins to the replica of a 
ceremonial Native American kiva. An integral part of the heritage 
tourism industry, Coronado State Monument promotes historic 
preservation and cultural education through diverse lectures and events 
where adults and children alike learn about New Mexico, past and 
present.

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