HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 15

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Stephanie Garcia Richard and Pete Campos

A JOINT MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 14, 2017 "RUDOLFO ANAYA SUMMER READING PROGRAM DAY" IN THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, Rudolfo Anaya is a distinguished New Mexico author and widely celebrated educator; and

     WHEREAS, Rudolfo Anaya is best known for his internationally acclaimed novel Bless Me, Ultima; and

     WHEREAS, Rudolfo Anaya is the recipient of the national medal of arts, the national humanities medal, the American book award and other accolades; and

     WHEREAS, from humble beginnings in the village of Pastura in Guadalupe county, Rudolfo Anaya has used his life's work to share New Mexico's rich culture with the world, bringing great pride and respect to the state; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to Rudolfo Anaya's work in higher education, he has also championed numerous efforts to increase reading by New Mexico's children; and

     WHEREAS, Rudolfo Anaya truly believes that "leer es poder", meaning "reading is power", and his efforts have brought critical attention to reading as the foundation of learning, which is essential to the growth and success of all children and their communities; and

     WHEREAS, Rudolfo Anaya believes that New Mexico children should be familiar with the folklore and traditions of their state's cultures, such as cuentos, dichos, plays, songs and Native American stories; and

     WHEREAS, stories by and about New Mexico encourage a strong self-identity and help preserve unique New Mexican languages; and

     WHEREAS, reading is the most important skill a child will ever learn, as reading is the gateway to higher education and career success; and

     WHEREAS, children need the support of caring adults to encourage them to read and to keep reading, particularly during the summer months to retain and strengthen these important skills; and

     WHEREAS, a reading program was conceived to inspire children to read more, and a partnership was formed between Rudolfo Anaya and the Christopher Montalvo memorial fund; and

     WHEREAS, the Rudolfo Anaya summer reading program was launched in April 2016 through local schools, and by the end of summer, forty-three students from four counties had participated and were recognized for their reading efforts; and

     WHEREAS, the Rudolfo Anaya summer reading program encourages New Mexico children's curiosity and love of learning and inspires them to become the best readers in the world; and

     WHEREAS, in 2017, the goal of the Rudolfo Anaya summer reading program is to increase the program's partnerships and to reach more children in more New Mexico schools;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 14, 2017 be declared "Rudolfo Anaya Summer Reading Program Day" in the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico children be encouraged to read and keep reading; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the Rudolfo Anaya summer reading program.

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