[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 187 (Monday, October 25, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING RUDOLFO ANAYA

 Mr. HEINRICH. Madam President, Rudolfo Anaya's writing 
captured the beauty of New Mexico's landscapes and the strength and 
resilience of our people. It is a testament to the power of his 
literary work that so many New Mexicans recognize themselves and their 
families in the characters of his award-winning novels. Known to many 
as the godfather of Chicano literature, Mr. Anaya taught all of us to 
cherish the rich traditions, cultural heritage, and deep-rooted 
communities in our State.
  Mr. Anaya was born and raised in Pastura and Santa Rosa, small 
communities in Guadalupe County. His childhood experiences on the 
desert flatlands of the Lllano Estacado later inspired much of his best 
work. After his family moved to the historic Barelas neighborhood of 
Albuquerque, Mr. Anaya attended Albuquerque High School and the 
University of New Mexico. Through many decades as a lifetime educator, 
Mr. Anaya taught and mentored students in Albuquerque Public Schools 
and at the University of New Mexico.
  In 1972, Mr. Anaya published his coming-of-age novel, ``Bless Me, 
Ultima,'' about a young boy's search for spirituality and his sense of 
place. The novel broke new ground by centering the unique experiences, 
complex cultural identities, and deep-rootedness of Hispanic and 
Chicano New Mexicans. ``Bless Me, Ultima'' has stirred the hearts of 
countless readers over the years and inspired adaptations for theater, 
a feature film, and an opera. On a personal note, reading ``Bless Me, 
Ultima,'' was also an important part of the experiences and events that 
led my wife, Julie, and I to settle and raise our family in New Mexico.
  Over the course of his prolific literary career, Mr. Anaya wrote a 
wide range of novels, stories, nonfiction essays, and poetry that 
captured the spirit and culture of New Mexico. In 2002, he was awarded 
the National Medal for the Arts by President George W. Bush and the 
National Endowment for the Arts. He was awarded the National Humanities 
Medal by President Barack Obama and the National Endowment for the 
Humanities in 2016.
  Rudolfo Anaya leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. As 
we remember his incredible life, my thoughts are with his family, the 
countless people he mentored and taught, and everyone who experienced 
the power of reading his work. I am certain I join so many others in 
our State in honoring and lifting up the life of this quintessential 
New Mexican.

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