Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum News


	For Immediate Release: March 27, 2006	Contact: Jill Burwitz (ALPLM) (217) 299-6165 cell (217) 558-8970 office
	Mexican Government Donates Sculpture of Benito Juárez to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Ceremony celebrates 200^th anniversary of the former Mexican President's birth SPRINGFIELD, IL: In a special ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, the Honorable Carlos M. Sada, Consul General of Mexico in Chicago, and Mexican Federal Senator Emilia Patricia Gómez presented a cast metal portrait sculpture of the late Mexican President Benito Juárez to the Library. The donation of this sculpture comes on the 200th anniversary of the President's birth. "There is a long-standing relationship between Illinois and Mexico dating back to the 1860's," said Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval of Chicago. "Benito Juárez and Abraham Lincoln shared many similarities, including their views on freedom. The Juárez sculpture belongs here - where in a sense - the two great leaders come together." "The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is honored to accept this generous gift from the Mexican government," said Thomas Schwartz, interim Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. "Abraham Lincoln and Benito Juárez represent the right to rise and the importance of law in democratic societies. Both men were war presidents with Lincoln preserving the Union and Juárez defeating foreign oppressors. Ultimately, both leaders laid the foundations for modern democratic societies." Benito Pablo Juárez was born on March 21, 1806. Juárez was a Zapotec Indian who served two terms (1861-1863 and 1867-1872) as President of Mexico. For his resistance to the French occupation and his efforts to modernize the country, Juárez is regarded as Mexico's greatest and most beloved leader - often compared to Abraham Lincoln. Juárez died of a heart attack on July 18, 1872, while working at his desk in the National Palace of Mexico. The sculpture was created by artist Tiburcio Ortiz in 2005. It will be on permanent display in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. ### << Back to Press Releases