[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2258-S2259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATIONS TO RUTH CLAPLANHOO

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to pay tribute 
to a distinguished elder of the Makah Indian Tribe in Washington state, 
Ms. Ruth E. Claplanhoo, whose 100th birthday was March 15, 2002.
  Ms. Claplanhoo was born on March 15, 1902 in Neah Bay, Washington, 
where she still resides. Throughout her life, she has made many 
meaningful contributions to the Makah Tribe and to the community by 
selflessly serving others. Through her service, she has demonstrated 
her strong commitment to family, her cultural identity, and education.
  An experienced tribal elder, Ms. Claplanhoo has shared her knowledge 
of Makah culture with many other people. At an early age she learned 
the art of basket weaving, which she used to supplement her family's 
income during the Depression. Her basket weaving skills are so highly 
regarded that she once traveled to the Smithsonian Institute in 
Washington, D.C. to demonstrate her gift. Ms. Claplanhoo is also fluent 
in the Makah language. During the 1960s she taught the language to 
students at the Neah Bay School. Many of these students still continue 
the tradition of the Makah language passed on to them by Ms. 
Claplanhoo.
  In addition to teaching, Ms. Claplanhoo worked continuously in other 
ways to help young people succeed and prosper. While raising her own 
family, Ms. Claplanhoo also raised many foster children, whom she still 
cherishes as her own.
  As the last of the elders who can remember taking a dugout canoe to 
the harvest fields, Ms. Claplanhoo continues to preserve the Makah 
culture by sharing her knowledge of tribal history and language with 
the Makah Museum.
  It is with tremendous respect and appreciation that I send Ruth 
Claplanhoo my best wishes and congratulations for a century of service 
to her family, community and country.

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