[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E423-E424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING MS. HAWTHORN BOLGER-WITHERSPOON

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor Ms.

[[Page E424]]

Hawthorn Bolger-Witherspoon. Hawthorn is a fourteen-year-old student 
from South Valley, New Mexico who has written a series of short stories 
titled ``South Valley'' in an effort to encourage young people in our 
area to read.
  Hawthorn wanted to provide her fellow students in the Albuquerque 
area with reading material that they could relate to, so she based her 
stories off of some of the issues that affect our community. The 
stories are centered on a gang member who turns his life around but who 
is still faced with issues like drug abuse and domestic violence. The 
stories also discuss the immigration issues that are currently facing 
our community.
  The stories will also include illustrations that were created by 
Hawthorn. To create the illustrations, she took photos of a family 
friend who works at an Albuquerque school, and then altered them to 
look like drawings. The family friend is actually a former gang member 
himself, making him a fitting inspiration for the illustrations and for 
the stories' main character.
  Integral to Hawthorn's stories was local poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, 
whose work the stories are based on. Mr. Baca himself had a difficult 
upbringing and spent time in prison. It was during his incarceration 
that he developed his love of poetry. He has since had a highly 
successful career that has included both an American Book Award and a 
Hispanic Heritage Award in Literature. He also founded a non-profit 
publishing company called Cedar Tree Poetic, which will be publishing 
Hawthorn's stories.
  In addition to getting her stories published, Hawthorn's work will 
also be represented in our nation's capital. Two of her photographs 
will be included by the Smithsonian Institution in an educational film.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of New Mexico's First Congressional District, 
I want to congratulate Hawthorn Bolger-Witherspoon on becoming a 
published author and commend her for her work to encourage reading in 
our community. I also want to thank Jimmy Santiago Baca for his 
generous assistance and for his wonderful work over the years. We look 
forward to following the work of these writers and wish them continued 
success.

                          ____________________