[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S2902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO KELLER GEORGE

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Keller George, who was recently elected president of the United South 
and Eastern Tribes.
  Mr. George, a resident of Oneida, NY, is a member of the Onieda 
Indian Nation, a nation whose triumphant history includes playing an 
integral part in the victory of the colonists during the American 
Revolutionary War. Onieda Indians brought food to the American Army 
during the harsh winter at Valley Forge, and fought by their side at 
the Battle of Oriskany. The epic battle that took place at Oriskany 
represented a partnership between native Americans, Europeans, and 
Americans for freedom and self-determination. The battle was the 
bloodiest in the revolution.
  Mr. George has quite an impressive and extensive resume in serving 
both the United States of America and the Onieda Indian Nation. For 
over 20 years he was a member of the U.S. Air Force. Mr. George has 
been a businessman, managing the Onieda Nation's first smokeshop. He 
currently holds the position of special assistant to Onieda Nation 
representative Ray Halbritter. But that only scratches the surface of 
Mr. George's substantial role as a leader in the Onieda Nation. He is 
also first representative for the Onieda Nation's sovereign housing 
authority, first representative and treasurer for the Onieda Indian 
Nation Gaming Commission, a member of the Onieda Nation's men's 
council, a member of the board of directors for the National Indian 
Gaming Association, and vice president of the northeastern area of the 
National Congress of American Indians.
  Now Mr. George has risen to the position of president of the United 
South and Eastern Tribes. The United South and Eastern Tribes is 
composed of 21 tribes whose purpose is to provide leadership for its 
member tribes and to advance the causes of all native Indians. Mr. 
President, all Americans can related to these causes. They include 
providing educational opportunity and promoting understanding among the 
general public of the achievements of their member tribes. I can think 
of no other person who is more qualified and more deserving of such a 
position as Keller George.
  I congratulate him on this tremendous achievement, and wish him the 
best of luck in his new position.


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