[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 141 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S12795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO CALEB SHIELDS

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Caleb Shields, retired Chairman and current Councilman of the 
Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana. 
Caleb is retiring from his elected position with the Tribe, after 
twenty-four years of elected service. For those of you who don't know 
Caleb, I am sorry that you did not have an opportunity to meet this 
remarkable man during his many visits to discuss the myriad of issues 
facing Native American people. He has a strength of character and honor 
about him that you could not help but recognize and admire instantly 
when you met him.
  Caleb's tenure of twenty-four years on the Board is truly a testament 
to his leadership and his character. As we all know, very few 
politicians can have a career that spans twenty-four years and even 
fewer can do it with the grace and dedication that Caleb has. It has 
been an honor to work with Caleb on the many issues that we have worked 
on together. His commitment and dedication to improve the lives of not 
only the Native Americans on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, but the 
lives of Native Americans throughout the Nation, are an inspiration to 
me. He has worked tirelessly to improve the level of funding for Indian 
health care programs and Native American education programs. He has 
stood in the Halls of Congress, often in the face of severe opposition, 
defending the governmental and sovereign rights of tribes. He has stood 
up to the federal government when the federal government has failed in 
its obligation to the tribes of this country. Significantly, he did all 
of this without ever making an enemy and without ever treating any 
person with disrespect. We can all stand to learn something from this 
man who while he had many battles, he never made any enemies.
  I will miss my friend's visits to Washington, but I will mostly miss 
his advice on the Native American issues. Native American Country is 
losing a great leader, but I am sure that the basketball teams in 
Poplar are regaining a loyal fan. I understand that Caleb hopes to 
write a book about the history of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes from 
treaty time to modern time. I wish him well in his endeavor and look 
forward to reading his book.
  At the request of the Senator from Connecticut, Mr. Lieberman, the 
following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record, as 
follows:

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