Native language act ready for Bush's signature

[Waya]

A bill named in honor of a Native language teacher who died after receiving a national award for her efforts finally cleared Congress this week.

H.R.4766, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act, was approved by the Senate last Wednesday night. With prior approval from the House, the bill now goes onto President Bush for his approval.

Introduced earlier this year, momentum for the legislation to create Native language programs picked up after the tragic death of Esther Martinez. The 94-year-old language instructor and storyteller was killed on her way home to Ohkay Owingeh, a pueblo in northern New Mexico.

The September 16 accident occurred just days after Martinez received the National Heritage Fellowship award in Washington, D.C. She had been honored for her role in teaching Tewa to generations of students.

"Considering Esther's dedication to preserving her Native language, it is a fitting tribute that this legislation be named after her," said Rep. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), whose district includes the six pueblos where Tewa is spoken.


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