First Luis Leal Literature Award Goes to Pulitzer Winner Hijuelos

Oscar Hijuelos, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" and other novels, on Saturday, Sept. 20, received the first Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature.

Hijuelos accepted the award, plus a $1,500 cash prize, and gave a free public lecture at De la Guerra Plaza during the Santa Barbara Book and Author Festival.

The award, believed to be the only major prize in the genre, was established this year by the Santa Barbara Book Council and UC Santa Barbara in honor of Luis Leal, the 96-year-old professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies and an internationally recognized scholar of Chicano and Latino literature. It is supported by Wells Fargo Bank.

"While I am honored to be singled out for this award, I want it understood that I am accepting it in the spirit of sharing this special recognition with all Hispanic writers," said Hijuelos, the New York City-born son of Cuban immigrants.

"Oscar Hijuelos is the first and only U.S. Latino writer to receive the Pulitzer Prize in literature," said Mario García, a book council member and professor of Chicana and Chicano studies and history at UCSB. "This is a major honor to have him receive the first Leal award."