FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT – John Fancher – 596-7975

Feb. 2, 2010

OLYMPIC RECORD HOLDER BILLY MILLS TO BE INDUCTED INTO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY’S

 ‘CIRCLE OF HONOR’

   “Look at Mills!  Look at Mills!” 

   This exclamation by the announcer of the 1964 Olympics was a call to the world to never forget the perseverance of the American Indian spirit.

   In one of sports’ greatest upsets, Billy Mills, an Oglala Lakota (Sioux), captured the 1964 Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meter race in heroic fashion.  He remains the only American to ever win a gold medal in the 10,000 meters.

   Tulsa City-County Library’s American Indian Resource Center will induct Mills into the Circle of Honor during a special presentation March 6, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Central Library, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue.  This event is free and open to the public.

   Sponsored by the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation, Tulsa World, American Indian Resource Center and Tulsa Library Trust, the award consists of a $5,000 honorarium and a medallion featuring the American Indian Resource Center’s turtle logo.

   The Circle of Honor ceremony honors an American Indian for his or her achievements by acknowledging the inductee’s contributions that have enriched others’ lives and by celebrating the inductee’s action in the face of adversity, commitment to the preservation of American Indian culture and legacy for future generations.

   Mills has used his fame from his Olympic heroics to launch the successful American Indian youth program “Running Strong for American Youth,” which he formed with friend Eugene Krizek.  He is the national spokesperson for the organization that helps improve self-esteem, cultural pride and the future for American Indian youth.  He has helped raise more than $212 million to help communities with self-sufficiency programs, youth activities and cultural identity projects.

   Mills is also the best-selling author of “Wokini: A Lakota Journey to Happiness and Understanding,” which he co-wrote with Nicholas Sparks.  In its eighth printing, the book uses traditional Indian legends to impart life lessons about gaining and keeping happiness.  In 2005, he teamed with Sparks again to write “Lessons of a Lakota: A Young Man’s Journey to Happiness and Self-Understanding.”  This fictional tale takes a look at how a man’s life changes after the death of his sister and a gift from his father.

   The Circle of Honor alternates annually with the American Indian Festival of Words Author Award.  The late Charles Chibitty, Wilma Mankiller and Neal McCaleb were previously inducted in the Circle of Honor.

   Quotes from TCCL’s American Indian Resource Center:

Louis Gray, coordinator of the Primary Residential Treatment Center for the Osage Nation. “He has been a hero of the highest order in Indian Country and time has only made his achievement richer.  No other Native American has achieved more and shared it in a more positive way than Billy Mills.  His Olympic gold medal win continues to kick open doors for Indian Country every time Billy Mills comes to town.”

Jean Froman, Indian Pupil Education coordinator, Tulsa Public Schools.  “Billy Mills’ accomplishments in the sports arena and the business sector are outstanding.  It is an honor to have a Native American of this caliber represent our population.  He is an excellent role model to our youth and his motivational presentations are touching with his determination to overcome adversity.”

   Tulsa City-County Library’s American Indian Resource Center, located at Central Library, provides educational and informational resources, activities, and services honoring American Indian heritage, arts and achievements.

   The center provides access to more than 7,000 books and media for adults and children by and about American Indians, including historical and rare materials, new releases, videos and music compact discs.

   Recent additions to the collection include native language printed materials, cassettes and compact discs for independent learning.  The goal of this particular collection development is to promote, revitalize and preserve our country’s native languages.

   For more information on the Circle of Honor ceremony, call the AskUs Hotline, 596-7977, or visit the library’s Web site, www.tulsalibrary.org.

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