[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO OCTAVIA E. BUTLER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Octavia E. 
Butler. Ms. Butler will be greatly missed. The world of literature lost 
a literary genius whose novels and short stories broke the conventional 
expectations of African Americans, women, and science fiction writers.
  Ms. Butler was a Pasadena, California native who attended John Muir 
High School. She graduated from Pasadena City College in 1968. Octavia 
spent most of her adult life in the Pasadena/Altadena area where she 
lived until just a few years ago when she moved to Seattle, Washington. 
While Octavia's fans have marveled over her extraordinary literary 
creations, those who knew her as a friend also marveled at her ability 
to remain down to earth and unmoved by fame. As an adult, Ms. Butler 
had traveled all over the world, from the Amazon to Russia, to gather 
authentic material for her books.
  Ms. Butler was an internationally acclaimed science fiction author 
whose novels explored pressing issues such as race, gender, slavery, 
poverty, and politics. In 1995, she became the first science fiction 
writer to receive a $295,000 genius grant from the John D. and 
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She also received two Hugo Awards 
and two Nebula Awards for her science fiction works. During her funeral 
service, on March 11, 2006, the Pasadena City Mayor's office read a 
proclamation that declared March 17, 2006, to be Octavia Butler Day.
  Octavia is the author of many novels, including Patternmaster, 
Adulthood Rite, Mind of My Mind, and Kindred. For many years, Kindred, 
which is Pasadena's ``One City, One Story'' choice this year, was 
required reading at John Muir High School. The program is designed to 
broaden and deepen the appreciation for reading.
  I ask all Members of the United States House of Representatives to 
pause to honor a great woman, Octavia E. Butler, who inspired so many 
people through her words and her vision. She will be missed not only by 
her family, but by all who were fortunate enough to cross her path or 
enjoy her novels.

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