April 12, 2016

Wyden Honors Oregon’s Beverly Cleary

Senator Wishes Beloved Author a Happy 100th Birthday and Celebrates Her Contributions to Children’s Literature

Washington, DC – Sen. Ron Wyden today marked the upcoming 100th birthday for award-winning and beloved author Beverly Cleary, an Oregon native whose books set in Portland have long enchanted millions of children.

In a congressional statement, Wyden cited the positive impact of Cleary’s children’s books, which have sold more than 90 million copies to young readers who devoured the tales of Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, Ribsy, Ralph S. Mouse, and so many other memorable characters. 

“Thanks to Ms. Cleary, generations of kids across the world can experience Oregon from a literary perspective,” Wyden said. “And you would be hard-pressed to find another author who has made such a lasting impact on children’s literature.”

Beverly Cleary was born on April 12, 1916 in McMinnville, Oregon. At an early age, she moved to Portland where she developed a passion for Oregon that shines throughout her stories. Her book series Ramona and Henry Huggins are both set in Portland and continue to serve as important pieces of Oregon’s literary fabric. 

In Portland, her honors include a K-8 school – Beverly Cleary School; a public art installation in the Hollywood branch of the Multnomah County Library featuring her books’ neighborhood landmarks; and a public sculpture garden in Portland’s Grant Park with bronze statues of Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins and Ribsy.

To watch Wyden’s floor remarks, click here.

 

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