[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      TRIBUTE TO A GREAT LEADER, CHITIMACHA CHAIRMAN RALPH DARDEN

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                        HON. W.J. (BILLY) TAUZIN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, we have recently lost an important leader 
who made a significant difference in the lives of many people in 
southern Louisiana. The Chitimacha Indian tribe Chairman Ralph Darden 
had his life cut short on January 8th by a car accident.
  Chairman Darden took the small and impoverished Chitimacha Indian 
tribe virtually from rags to riches in the decade he led the tribe. He 
believed in hard work and in the tribal members gaining self-reliance 
and not dependency on the federal government. He helped bring about a 
dramatic economic development for both the Chitimacha tribe and the 
surrounding communities to the point that Chitimacha is the biggest 
employer in the parish--aside from government.
  But is was not only jobs and economic growth that Chairman Darden 
accomplished for the Chitimacha and southern Louisiana. He was 
committed to seeing that every Chitimacha child got a college education 
if they so desired and thus he helped underwrite their college 
scholarship program. He had served as President of the Chitimacha 
tribal school board and as a board member of the United South and 
Eastern Tribes. And he realized that the tribe had to diversify its 
economic interests and invest in land purchases and other industries 
for long term security. Already the tribe had one of the finest 
restaurants in south Louisiana named for the tribe's oldest living 
member, Mr. Lester. Chairman Darden looked out for the long term 
interests of his people. And he made his tribe one of the most 
respected ``model'' tribes in the country.
  Chitimacha Chairman Darden had earlier worked for the current 
Governor Mike Foster and they remained good friends.
  That he was widely respected and appreciated by the tribal members 
and by the surrounding community members was evidenced at his funeral 
attended by about 1,000 people. His sons gave moving tributes to their 
father and a young girl sang the ``Colors of the Wind'' song from the 
movie Pocahontas.
  I cannot improve on the tribute poem written by another notable 
Indian Howard Rainer ``To A Dear Friend'':

     ``Who was this leader among Chitimachas?
     Whose visions for his people went beyond the eyes of many?
     A man who shared his example that others might succeed.
     A Chitimacha who gave of his time for the cause of his tribe.
     A man who prayed for goodness to prevail to the prevail to 
           the next generation.
     A leader whose heart heard the woes of many, and extended his 
           hand to go on.
     Who was Ralph Darden?
     A mortal who gave that others might receive,
     A husband cherished by his wife,
     A father admired,
     A light to those who now shed their tears,
     May the Great Creator God Hear my prayer,
     I thank Him for my brother,
     Who shared his love and friendship, a gift I shall cherish, 
           until we meet again!''

  Mr. Speaker, I knew Chairman Darden.
  I want to extend my personal condolences to Chairman Darden's family 
and to the Chitimacha and surrounding communities, and pay my personal 
tribute for his many achievements. His death is a big loss for all of 
us.

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