[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO BERNIE WHITEBEAR, WASHINGTON STATE CITIZEN OF THE DECADE

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, on October 31, 1997 Washington 
state Governor Gary Locke declared the month of October ``Bernie 
Whitebear Month'' and proclaimed Bernie Whitebear as a ``Citizen of the 
Decade''. I would like to join the Governor, and the whole state of 
Washington in paying tribute to Bernie Whitebear for his outstanding 
contributions to the Seattle metropolitan community, the urban Native 
American community, the state of Washington, and in fact the entire 
Pacific Northwest.
  For 30 years, Bernie Whitebear has been a voice and representative of 
the needs and concerns of the urban Indian community in Seattle and 
surrounding areas. His commitment to the preservation and edification 
of Native American culture within a diverse urban environment has never 
wavered. He established the Minority Executive Director's Coalition of 
King County, participates in the Northwest Asian American Theater's 
annual community Show-Off, and through his United Indians of All Tribes 
Foundation, acts as the Executive Director of the Daybreak Star 
Cultural and Education Center in Discovery Park, a center he 
established.
  In recent years, Bernie has been tireless in his pursuit of his next 
vision: the People's Lodge. The People's Lodge is the next phase of 
development for the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (United 
Indians) Indian Cultural Center (ICC) which includes the Daybreak Star 
Center. The United Indians is a well-established organization thanks to 
Bernie with over 20 years of service in Western Washington. The ICC 
mission, and Bernie's focus in life, is to improve the social, 
economic, and cultural well-being of Native Americans living in the 
metropolitan Seattle area. Bernie and United Indians run a variety of 
educational, community service, and cultural arts programs serving 
4,000 clients and attracting 30,000 visitors a year. The People's Lodge 
will improve and expand United Indian's desire to preserve and enhance 
Indian heritage and educate people about Indian cultural diversity. The 
People's Lodge will include a permanent Hall of Ancestors exhibition, a 
multiple-use Potlatch House, and an exhibition gallery, the John 
Kauffman, Jr. Theater, a resource center, and the Sacred Circle of the 
American Indian Art.
  The programs and activities envisioned by Bernie in the People's 
Lodge will be a great benefit to the greater Seattle community and the 
citizen's of Western Washington. The People's Lodge will create new 
jobs, serve as a new venue for sales and performances by artists of all 
kinds, and help preserve and advance the cultural heritage of Native 
Americans in this region. It has been my pleasure to work with Bernie 
in seeking federal support of this project. Bernie has been working 
diligently to secure an Economic Development Administration grant for 
the People's Lodge. I urge the EDA to give the grant proposal of United 
Indians for the People's Lodge their utmost consideration.
  Bernie Whitebear is a true leader for Native Americans in Seattle and 
a genuine asset to our community in the greater Seattle area. I 
personally appreciate his efforts. It is always a pleasure to see 
Bernie's warm face and bright smile come into my office. Bernie truly 
is a Citizen of the Decade.

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