HOUSE MEMORIAL 80
53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018
INTRODUCED BY
Stephanie Garcia Richard
A MEMORIAL
DECLARING FEBRUARY 14, 2018 "RUDOLFO ANAYA I LOVE TO READ DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
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, New Mexico's children need the support of caring adults to encourage them to read and to keep reading; and
WHEREAS, books by and about New Mexico encourage a strong self-identity and help preserve unique New Mexican languages while strengthening important reading skills; and
WHEREAS, Rudolfo Anaya is a widely celebrated educator who truly believes that "leer es poder", meaning "reading is power", and whose 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 is a native son of New Mexico with humble beginnings in Pastura in Guadalupe county, is today regarded as the father of Chicano literature and is the recipient of the national medal of arts, the national humanities medal, the American book award and numerous other accolades; and
WHEREAS, Rudolfo Anaya believes that all 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, Rudolfo Anaya has written a children's book about the importance of education and the greatest lesson a child can learn: the value of knowing how to read; and
WHEREAS, the characters and northern New Mexico landscape in the book Owl in a Straw Hat come to life and resonate wonderfully with children and adults alike; and
WHEREAS, Rudolfo Anaya's 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, a reading program was established as a partnership between Rudolfo Anaya and the Christopher Montalvo memorial fund to inspire children to read more, and it is now in its third year; and
WHEREAS, the goal of this reading program is to encourage and recognize reading achievements by New Mexico children at home and in every New Mexico school;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 14, 2018 be declared "Rudolfo Anaya I Love To Read Day" in the house of representatives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all children in New Mexico enjoy reading with a caring adult on this day to encourage them to read and keep on reading; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to Rudolfo Anaya and the reading program established with the Christopher Montalvo memorial fund.
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