Pete Domenici: “1998 is a very special year for celebrating Hispanic roots in New Mexico. This year we are commemorating the 400th…”

“1998 is a very special year for celebrating Hispanic roots in New Mexico. This year we are commemorating the 400th anniversary of the first permanent Settlement in the Southwest, which took place in the Espanola Valley near San Juan Pueblo of New Mexico in 1598. Dozens of meaningful and beautiful events have already been held in honor of this anniversary. I participated in a particularly stirring event at the San Gabriel Chapel in Espanola last spring. The Spanish Mayor of Espanola, Richard Lucero, organized a very special event with Governor Earl Salazar of San Juan Pueblo and Governor Walter Dasheno of Santa Clara Pueblo to unveil the design for a commemorative stamp featuring the San Gabriel Chapel and the ``Spanish Settlement of the Southwest--1598.'' This is 22 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The Governors and the Mayor exchanged stories about the importance of their respective cultures to each other. All those present were moved by the stories of lasting friendships formed on baseball fields, and marriages between Indians and Hispanics. There were also strong expressions of Hispanic and Indian intent to keep forging their futures together, along with the Anglo culture.”