[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 70 (Thursday, April 22, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S2180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 178--HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF AWARD-WINNING 
                    CHILDREN'S AUTHOR BEVERLY CLEARY

  Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 178

       Whereas Beverly Atlee Cleary was born Beverly Atlee Bunn to 
     Chester Lloyd Bunn and Mable Atlee Bunn on April 12, 1916, in 
     McMinnville, Oregon;
       Whereas Beverly Cleary grew up on her family's farm near 
     Yamhill, Oregon, and titled her 1988 memoir ``A Girl From 
     Yamhill'';
       Whereas Beverly Cleary moved north to Portland, Oregon, 
     with her family when she was 6 years old;
       Whereas Beverly Cleary attended grade school in Portland 
     and graduated from Grant High School in 1934;
       Whereas Beverly Cleary attended Chaffey College in Ontario, 
     California, and then graduated from the University of 
     California, Berkeley, with a bachelor's degree in English in 
     1938;
       Whereas, in 1939, Beverly Cleary earned a master's degree 
     in library science from what was then the School of 
     Librarianship at the University of Washington;
       Whereas, in 1940, Beverly Cleary eloped with Clarence 
     Cleary, whom Beverly Cleary met while studying at the 
     University of California, Berkeley;
       Whereas Beverly Cleary worked as a children's librarian in 
     Yakima, Washington, and later at an Army hospital in Oakland, 
     California;
       Whereas, in 1950, William Morrow published the first book 
     by Beverly Cleary, ``Henry Huggins'', which is about the 
     adventures of a young boy who lived on Klickitat Street in 
     Northeast Portland, Oregon, and was the first book in the 
     Henry Huggins series;
       Whereas, in 1955, William Morrow published the first book 
     in the Ramona series, ``Beezus and Ramona'', which is about 
     9-year-old Beatrice ``Beezus'' Quimby and her 4-year-old 
     sister, who, like Henry Huggins, also lived on Klickitat 
     Street in Northeast Portland, Oregon;
       Whereas Beverly Cleary's books earned praise for engaging 
     young readers and capturing the world as children saw and 
     understood it;
       Whereas Beverly Cleary wrote more than 40 children's books, 
     which sold more than 85,000,000 copies by enchanting readers 
     of all ages with the adventures of Ramona, Henry, and many 
     other memorable characters;
       Whereas Beverly Cleary's books continue to resonate with 
     audiences across the United States, sparking the imagination 
     of countless children and instilling a lifelong love of 
     reading;
       Whereas Beverly Cleary won numerous awards and accolades 
     throughout her career, including--
       (1) the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 1975 for substantial 
     contributions to children's literature;
       (2) a Newbery Honor in 1978 for ``Ramona and Her Father'';
       (3) a National Book Award in 1981 for ``Ramona and Her 
     Mother'';
       (4) a Newbery Honor in 1982 for ``Ramona Quimby, Age 8'';
       (5) a Newbery Medal in 1984 for ``Dear Mr. Henshaw'';
       (6) the Library of Congress ``Living Legend'' award in 2000 
     for her creative contributions to American life; and
       (7) the National Medal of Arts in 2003, the highest award 
     given to artists by the United States Government; and
       Whereas Beverly Cleary died on March 25, 2021, at the age 
     of 104, leaving a behind a legacy of relatable characters and 
     skillful storytelling: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the life and legacy of award-winning children's 
     author Beverly Cleary, including--
       (A) the lifelong commitment of Beverly Cleary to 
     brightening the lives of children; and
       (B) the outstanding contributions of Beverly Cleary to 
     children's literature;
       (2) expresses its profound regret at the announcement of 
     the passing of beloved author Beverly Cleary;
       (3) extends its sympathy to the family of Beverly Cleary;
       (4) recognizes Beverly Cleary as one of the most 
     significant and successful authors of the 20th century; and
       (5) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of Beverly 
     Cleary.

                          ____________________