tonight's hon row and her books have had an exceptional impact and here to present the medal is lewis alberto raya a finalist himself for the pulitzer prize for his landmark work of nonfiction the devil's highway. lewis is also the best selling author of the novel's house of the broken spirits, the hummingbirds daughter, into the beautiful north, and queen of america. as well as the story collection, the water museum of pen award finalist. he's won lanen literary award and edgar award, a 2017 american academy of arts and letters award in literature among many other honors. born in tijuana to a mexican father, and american mother, he lives outside of chicago and teaches at the university of illinois, chicago. it gives many great pleasure to welcome lewis alberto raya. [inaudible conversations] him here to honor -- [inaudible conversations] [laughter] her ability to speak to millions of readers of many cultures around the world in utter clarity is not simply a stylistic trick. it is not a strategy. it is an act of political heroism. in times -- she speaks of human hope, survival, connection, wonder,