[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11905-S11906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIVE AMERICAN BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR, KARLENE HUNTER

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to publicly congratulate 
Karlene Hunter, of Kyle, SD, for receiving the Native American 
Businesswoman of the Year award at the National Indian Business 
Association Conference.

[[Page S11906]]

  Karlene Hunter understands what many business owners have learned: 
owning a business requires talent, know-how, and a lot of hard work and 
perseverance. Karlene saw a need in her community and started Lakota 
Express, Inc., the only direct marketing and telemarketing company in 
the United States that is Indian-owned and operated. Lakota Express, 
Inc., employs trained professionals that have exceptional marketing 
skills. Because the company has provided telemarketing and direct 
mailing services for various organizations, it has an impressive track 
record of success.
  Lakota Express, Inc., has become a valued member of the Pine Ridge 
community and is truly a South Dakota success story. For the past 5 
years, Karlene has worked as CEO of Lakota Express, and has followed 
her dream of building a small business run out of her basement into the 
company that has raised $10 million to fund the Oglala Lakota College's 
first public library, as well as 10 college centers across the Pine 
Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Karlene and Lakota Express 
have also worked to build the first independent Indian-owned public 
radio station.
  Lakota Express' mission is to operate a business that creates 
economic opportunities for the Lakota Nation and participates in 
social, educational, and political issues that empower the people and 
protect the earth. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge 
the staff of Lakota Express, Inc., who have helped Karlene achieve this 
remarkable accomplishment; Mark Tilsen, Betty Brave, Theresa Zottola, 
Jim Head, Stephanie Sorbel, Nick Tilsen, April Rosales, Nicole Pourier, 
Mary Under Baggage, and Marlene Mesteth. I know that all these 
individuals and countless others, who have contributed richly to the 
company's many achievements, take great pride in the personal and 
collective accomplishments that are recognized through this honor.
  It is with great appreciation that I join with the community, the 
employees, the customers, and the many people who interact with the 
company, in congratulating Karlene Hunter on her years of service and 
success. I wish Lakota Express, Inc., enduring good fortune and 
prosperity in their continued pursuit of excellence.

                          ____________________