[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNITION OF THE EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS TO ASSIST THE 
                       CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I want to take the opportunity 
today to recognize the kind and generous people of western 
Massachusetts who donated exercise equipment to the Cheyenne River 
Reservation community in my home state of South Dakota.
  The participating YMCA's of Greenfield, Springfield, Holyoke, 
Northampton and Westfield Massachusetts organized a month long drive 
that collected 80 pieces of exercise equipment ranging from treadmills 
to exercise bikes. Robert Sunderland, Vincent Olinski, Harry Rock, 
Suzanne Walker, Stephen Clay, Kurt Kramer, and Mark St. Pierre all 
worked together to make this project a reality. Their vision, tireless 
dedication, and proactive efforts to mobilize the people of western 
Massachusetts should not go unnoticed. Additionally, I would like to 
recognize Keith Eichenholz of my staff, a native of Greenfield 
Massachusetts himself, for recognizing the effort of these 
participating YMCAs, as well as the needs of Indian country in South 
Dakota.
  As my Senate colleagues know, there are nine federally recognized 
tribes in South Dakota, whose members collectively make up one of the 
largest Native American populations in this country. At the same time, 
South Dakota has three of the ten poorest counties in the nation, all 
of which are within reservation boundaries. The severe poverty within 
these reservations makes it extremely difficult to secure valuable 
resources that can be used to fight the grave health situation plaguing 
the American Indian communities.
  The contributions of the western Massachusetts YMCAs will help 
overcome these alarming conditions. Native Americans die at younger 
ages than the general population: 13 percent of Indian deaths, compared 
to 4 percent of deaths for all races, occur before age 25. Tuberculosis 
as a cause of death for Native Americans is 4 times the national 
mortality rate for this disease, and the Native American mortality rate 
for diabetes out-paces the national average by 139 percent. 
Additionally, a 1997 Harvard/Centers for Disease Control study on life 
expectancy found that the lowest life expectancy in the nation for both 
men and women, including inner city populations, exists in the Indian 
population and are the worst rates of any nation in the western 
hemisphere except Haiti. American health care and medical science are 
far too advanced to allow such statistics to persist.
  Time and time again, regular exercise has been proven effective in 
reducing the occurrence of heart disease, diabetes, and early deaths. 
The five western Massachusetts communities will help provide the 
Cheyenne River Reservation community with the opportunity for a 
healthier lifestyle at practically no cost. Their contribution deserves 
recognition, and I thank them for all of their help.
  Throughout my service in Congress I have worked with Indian tribes to 
improve the quality of life on this nation's Indian reservations. I am 
glad that I have the generous people of Greenfield, Springfield, 
Holyoke, Northampton and Westfield Massachusetts as allies is this 
courageous effort.
  Again, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude for their 
collaborated effort, and wish them continued success in future 
endeavors.

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