[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 120 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10371-S10372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   DEDICATION OF THE STATUE OF PO'PAY

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, this is a special day for New Mexicans. 
Earlier today, Congress accepted the statue of Po'pay, a man from San 
Juan Pueblo who played an important role in New Mexico's colonial 
history. The acceptance of this work marks the 100th contribution to 
the Statuary Hall Collection. On behalf of my home State, I give 
special recognition to sculptor Cliff Fragua, from Jemez Pueblo, for a 
job well done. He should be proud of his work. Cliff is the first 
American Indian artist to sculpt a statue for the Statuary Hall 
Collection. I also thank the New Mexico Statuary Hall Commission and 
Foundation for all their dedication and tireless effort in making this 
endeavor a terrific success.
  New Mexico's first statue in the collection is that of the late 
Senator Dennis Chavez. Unlike Senator Chavez, Po'pay was a leader of a 
different era. Po'pay was a leader among the Pueblo people during the 
latter part of the 17th century. He united the Pueblos and led the 
Pueblo Revolt of 1680. This revolt made apparent the Pueblo Indians' 
desire to maintain their dignity and culture--both socially and 
spiritually. The Po'pay-led insurrection against the Spanish conquerors 
was at its core a basic human and American need to challenge 
oppressors. Yes, there have been incidences of intolerance in our 
State's more than 400-year history. Those early days were hard and 
oftentimes brutal. Wrongs were done, and the Pueblo Revolt--represented 
with this statue--was the Native peoples' response to those hardships.
  In the end, the Pueblo Revolt served as an important lesson for the 
Spaniards, who returned to New Mexico a dozen years later. The Pueblo 
Revolt forever shaped the history of the State of New Mexico and the 
American Southwest. The result of that uprising is still evident today 
as the Pueblo Indians continue to live a distinct lifestyle. The Pueblo 
culture of New Mexico draws visitors from around the world. The 
American people should take the time to visit and enjoy these ancient 
cultures that are alive today. Their lives give our State its name: 
``The Land of Enchantment.''
  My own life has been made richer by my many Indian friends. My 
lifelong friend, Herman Agoyo, and his beautiful family are with us 
today. As well noted in the history of this event, Herman's leadership 
has been inspiring and tireless. Herman leads the Turtle Dance at San 
Juan Pueblo on December 26 of each year. This year, Herman and San Juan 
Pueblo Governor Garcia will have a special reason to celebrate this 
beautiful event. This is the year of Po'pay--from San Juan Pueblo--who 
is now honored here in our Nation's Capitol.
  Today's Indian Pueblos are a cultural haven from ancient times. 
However, for all New Mexicans who came after, the revolt taught us an 
enduring lesson of tolerance and acceptance. It is this lesson that has 
resulted in New Mexico having one of the best and richest multicultural 
societies in the United States. As my friend Benny Atencio, of Santo 
Domingo Pueblo, observed:

       I strongly feel that the selection of Po'pay to be placed 
     in the nation's Statuary Hall along with that of the late 
     Senator Dennis Chavez, who was my personal friend, would 
     serve as a unique reminder to the world that two unique 
     cultures can coexist without destruction of their traditional 
     cultural values and beliefs.


[[Page S10372]]


  I could not have stated it better.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Po'pay, a man who 
through his life and philosophy inspired New Mexicans to unite and 
share their experiences of life, happiness, and customs, with a marble 
statue sculpted by Cliff Fragua of Jemez Pueblo. It will be the one-
hundredth statue to be added to the National Statuary Hall collection. 
The statue of this remarkable leader of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, is a 
gift from the State of New Mexico and was unveiled in the United States 
Capitol Rotunda today.
  Po'pay was born in Ohkay Owingeh, San Juan Pueblo, in 1630. He was a 
deeply humble man, with deep respect for his Pueblo's culture, 
language, traditions, and customs, and a dedication to passing these 
things on to future generations.
  During the seventeenth century the Pueblo way of life was seriously 
threatened. Some did not want the Pueblo people to practice their 
language, culture, or traditions, depriving them of their very core. 
Po'pay successfully united the separate Pueblo nations. This group of 
some 150 Pueblo leaders united against those who sought to destroy 
their way of life and prevailed. Po'pay led this great revolt and the 
fight for respect the Pueblo people deserved.
  Through his devotion and commitment to the preservation of Pueblo 
culture, Po'pay played an irreplaceable role in helping to shape our 
Nation's future. By championing the customs and traditional ways of his 
ancestors, he strengthened and preserved the Pueblo heritage for future 
generations, bridging the rich Pueblo and Spanish cultures of the 
Southwest. His dedication to this cause in response to the challenges 
the Pueblo community faced is a testament to the spirit of New Mexico.
  This statue will forever be a reminder of his leadership and courage 
in keeping the Pueblo culture alive. The statue of Po'pay will join the 
figure of the late Senator Dennis Chavez that stands proudly outside 
the doors of the old Senate Chambers. It is a privilege for New Mexico 
to be represented by two men with such vision, leadership, and courage.
  The decision to honor Po'pay was brought to the foreground during the 
tercentennial commemoration of the Pueblo Revolt by a unified group of 
Pueblo leaders. Thanks to their leadership, in November of 1996 the 
tribal council of Ohkay Owingeh, San Juan Pueblo, made the nomination 
official with a resolution. In 1997, State Senator Manny Aragon and 
Representative Nick Salazar introduced Senate Bill 404, which was 
passed and signed by Governor Gary Johnson on April 10. The nine member 
Statuary Hall Commission was formed and the fundraising began. Cliff 
Fragua of Jemez Pueblo was selected to create the statue, and by May of 
2005 the block of Tennessee Marble took the form of Po'pay. Thanks to 
the vision of many Pueblo leaders, the New Mexico Statuary Hall 
Commission and Foundation, and New Mexico's citizens, Po'pay shall 
forever be honored in the halls of the United Stated Capitol.
  We honor and respect Po'pay's accomplishments as the man who made it 
possible for Pueblo culture to thrive and sustain itself. Po'pay's 
contributions made New Mexico what it is today, a multicultural State, 
rich in culture and spirit.

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