Actor and director Edward James Olmos advocated more multicultural studies at Harvard yesterday during an honorary dinner organized by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, RAZA and Adams House.

After accepting an award for his contributions in the arts and in intercultural relations from Foundation Director S. Allen Counter, Olmos called on Harvard to hire more Latino and Asian-American professors, said RAZA President Lilia Fernandez '94.

According to Fernandez, Olmos praised Harvard's Afro-American Studies department, and said Harvard should provide not only Latino and Asian-American studies, but also studies for "indigenous people" such as Native Americans. Olmos said the cultural backbone of society needs to be studied, Fernandez said.

"It was a very moving speech," Fernandez said. "I think it touched a lot ofpeople."

Olmos is best known for his roles in thetelevision series "L.A. Law" and the movie "Standand Deliver."

In his 10 minute speech, Olmos urged people toaccept America as a multicultural society and toaddress the problems of the inner city, Fernandezsaid.

Afterwards, Olmos attended a reception held inhis honor in the Adams House Lower Common Room