From: New Mexican Hispanic Culture Preservation League

Old Town Station, PO Box 7956

Alburquerque, NM 87114

Contact: Rozanne Chavez Hurst

4715 Golden Barrel NW

Alburquerque, NM 87114

[email protected]

The New Mexican Hispanic Culture Preservation League strongly denounces the veto, by Mayor Jim Baca, of the resolution passed by the Alburquerque City Council to commission a statue of Don Juan de Oñate, along with the settlers who arrived in 1598.

The painful negative effect that this action will have upon the New Mexican Hispanic community will reverberate for years to come. It hurts to have our historic and cultural identity negated by one of our own. We are being denied our rightful place in American history. This act could only have taken place due to a lack of knowledge of New Mexico history and the yielding to trenchant tactics, used by detractors of Don Juan de Oñate, who distorted the facts to pursue their own agenda. They attempted to intimidate and threaten the City Council members and the Mayor by clapping and howling indiscriminately. This display certainly worked on Mayor Jim Baca.

It is now incumbent upon the City Council to right a wrong and show their resolve by overriding the veto of the resolution passed unanimously by them. They must correct an injustice perpetrated by the stroke of a pen. A petition of more than 1,000 signatures of property owners who are in favor of a memorial honoring Don Juan de Oñate and the settlers was presented to the City Council. This too was ignored by the Mayor.

New Mexican Hispanics need to be reconciled also, for the atrocities, injustices, prejudices and propaganda inflicted upon them, by so called oppressed people and others who have jumped on the prey like ravaging wolves.

The majority of those in attendance at the city council meeting that were opposed to the memorial are not city of Alburquerque property owners. One percent of all municipal bond taxes assessed against our properties supports the City of Alburquerque Arts Program.

Don Juan de Oñate was vindicated and acquitted of most charges leveled against him in a trial held by Spanish authorities in Mexico City in 1614. In 1623 by royal order, the fines imposed upon him were reimbursed. Oñate was selected for appointment to the exclusive and highly prestigious Military Order of Santiago. With the passage of time his remarkable achievements under trying circumstances, were acknowledged at the highest level. He lost his son, sacrificed his wealth and his reputation was compromised and defamed erroneously. Because of his efforts and devotion future generations have flourished in New Mexico.

Gene Hill: President NM HCPL