The source of information that will be shared here is from a book written by Xabier Irujo Ametzaga entitled On Basque Politics: A Conversation with Pete Cenarrusa copyright 2009, European Research Institute (EURI), Flanders, ISBN 978-84-61133965-5.

Pete T. Cenarrusa has served for fifty-two years in the State of Idaho, nine terms at the House of Representatives (1950-1967), in 1963, 1965 and 1967 as a Speaker of the House, and six terms as Secretary of the State (1967-2002) for the Republican Party.

The focus of this Wiki page is to show how Pete Cenarrusa knows the Basque people. Mr. Cenarrusa is Basque himself and he has a wide variety of knowledge on the Politics, culture, religion, and language. The picture of Cenarrusa shown here was taken from the Albertsons Library Archives at http://news.boisestate.edu/update/2009/11/20/albertsons-library-archives-receive-pete-cenarrusa-papers/ where it says of Cenarrusa “Pete Cenarrusa has long been an asset to the citizens of Idaho and to the Basque community here and abroad,” said President Bob Kustra. “Scholars across campus and throughout the nation will benefit from this invaluable gift that represents his life’s work. Boise State is honored to receive this extensive collection.

An exhibit on Cenarrusa will be available for viewing through the holidays in the Special Collections window display cases on the second floor of the Albertsons Library.

Cenarrusa and his wife, Freda, have a history of collaboration with Boise State. The couple helped establish the Basque Studies Program, which builds on the work of the Cenarrusa Foundation for Basque Studies founded in 2003. The program is a multi-disciplinary course of advanced study that involves all aspects of the language, culture and history of the Basque people."

One of the most interesting and sad moments of history that Professor Ametzaga discusses with Pete Cenarruas is about Gernika, April 26, 1937. Hitler partnered with Franco during this time to test military tactics. This is specifically a method of bombing innocent men, women, and children in an attempt of mass destruction. There is a Picasso painting of this that depicts the utter human suffering that resulted.

Gernika was chosen for six reasons. It was a village of about 6,000 souls, 3 hospitals, 2,000 refugees and Hermann Goering wanted to impress Hitler to become second in command. So he decided to bomb open cities with women and children were there were no batteries for protection and a city that was close to the front where they would be able to take pictures to prove the destruction.